The Council of Elders Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in South Africa, Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie, has outlined some conditions under which the NDC would sign a peace deal ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Speaking on the party’s stance, Mr. Quashie emphasized that justice must precede peace, citing unresolved issues from previous elections and the NDC’s concerns about the impartiality of key institutions.
During an interview with a South African-based online radio, Ghasa Radio, on Thursday, Mr. Quashie stressed that the NDC would not sign any peace agreement unless the government addressed several critical issues, including resolution of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence. He noted that even though eight lives were lost the last general elections, to date, there has been no investigation or compensation for the families involved.
“You saw how a member of the NPP, disguised as a national security member, attacked and slapped MP Sam George. The Commission of Inquiry gave recommendations, but the president has yet to implement anything from the white paper. And now they want us to sign a peace deal?” Mr. Quashie questioned.
He criticized the National Peace Council for remaining silent during these events, adding, “The Peace Council watched as these things happened and said nothing. Now, they want us to sign a document? Peace must come with justice. If there is no justice how can there be peace.”
Conditions for Signing
Mr. Benjamin Quashie listed several conditions that must be met before the NDC would consider signing any peace declaration including accountability for election violence and thorough audit of the voters’ register to ensure a free and fair election
“No, the NDC will not sign any peace declaration today or tomorrow, until they resolve the Ayawaso West Wuogon on issue. Until those involved in the violence in the by-election are held culpable and brought to justice. That’s the only time the NDC will sign a peace deal.
“Until the Peace Council is able to tell President Nana Addo that there are certain institutions that you don’t put party-coloured people there like the Electoral Commission. Wasn’t the Peace Council in this country when Nana Addo appointed an NPP member as a member of the Commissioners of the Electoral Commission? Didn’t we write to the Peace Council? Did they respond? No. They’d never responded.”
He also noted that the NDC should be made to have confidence in the fact that the elections would free, fair and transparent by ensuring that an independent body audit the EC’s system especially the voters’ register.
Skepticism Toward Peace Council
Mr. Quashie expressed skepticism about the role of the National Peace Council, accusing it of becoming a “toothless bulldog” that fails to hold the government accountable. “They expect us to sign a peace document so that when something goes wrong, they can say, ‘But you signed for peace.’ We are not falling for that,” he said. He reiterated that the NDC is a peace-loving party but believes that peace cannot exist without justice.
“We are going into this election as peace-loving people, not because there’s a Peace Council that will bring us documents to sign, but we are going into the elections as peace-loving Ghanaians, people who believe in justice and in peace.”
In anticipation of the December elections, Mr. Quashie reassured that the NDC is committed to a peaceful process but warned that the party would defend itself against any acts of intimidation. He also urged the NPP to refrain from bringing hooligans to the polls to avoid any violent confrontations.
“And trust you me, if the NPP bring hooligans during the election, we will meet them,” he stressed.
Despite his firm stance, Mr. Benjamin Quashie acknowledged that the NDC is open to peaceful elections, as long as the electoral process is transparent and credible. “If the elections are free, fair, and credible, the NDC will be the first to accept the results,” he affirmed.
“The NDC will accept the results of a free, transparent, credible election, okay. If the elections are free, if the elections are transparent, and if the elections are credible, we’ll be the first party to accept the result of the, the, the electoral commission in that elections.
“So that’s why we have said that let’s do everything right. Once we do everything right, I can assure you, I can tell you that the NDC will accept any outcome of the election. Okay? Just ensure that we will all respect the will of the people.”
Source: Newstitbits.com