President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, currently in Nigeria, has publicly condemned the recent violence that erupted during demonstrations in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe. The President has since called for thorough investigations, emphasizing that both demonstrators and law enforcement officers found in the wrong will be held accountable under the law.
“The right of Malawians to protest peacefully is not only enshrined in the Constitution, but also a birthright,” he reaffirmed in a direct Facebook post.
He further decried the acts of property destruction and violence, calling them “totally unacceptable,” and vowed swift action against those responsible.
President Dr. Chakwera, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Services, has formally directed the Ministers of Homeland Security and Defense to investigate what happened and submit a preliminary investigative report upon his return, laying the groundwork for legal consequences against perpetrators on either side.
He appealed to the nation: “Let us each remain vigilant against those who seek to use our right to protest as an occasion to perpetrate violence and lawlessness for political gain. Let us not allow them to tear down the country we are working so hard to re-build.”
Violence erupted when vendors and traders within the city of Lilongwe tried to stop the demonstrations fearing loss of business and property. This led to a bitter confrontation with the lead figure of Citizens for Credible Elections, Silvester Namiwa who was later beaten as he insisted that it was his right to demonstrate.
Key opposition political parties and other civil society groups initially denounced and refused to endorse what they called DPP-backed demonstrations staged to use opposition political parties and civil activists for their own greedy and selfish gains.
Recently the Pangolin Online exposed leaked audios from a WhatsApp group operated by Citizens for Credible Elections detailing a shocking plot spearheaded by the DPP in collaboration with Namiwa and another activist Edward Kambanje aimed at inciting protests and destabilize the forthcoming September 16 elections.
The audios capture Kambanje candidly admitting that he and Namiwa were summoned to what was expected to be a routine consultation but turned into a DPP briefing session for what he calls a “coordinated campaign” against the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Kambanje revealed that the DPP was providing funding for the demonstrations.
During the demonstration, Namiwa was left alone without any visible presence of his fellow civil activist colleagues and prominent politicians, a development which raised more questions and doubts.
Dr. Chakwera’s decisive stand starkly contrasts with the behavior of previous administrations, especially under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
During nationwide protests sparked by fuel shortages and governance failures, Malawi Police and security forces responded with overwhelming force.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission later confirmed that live bullets were fired, resulting in at least 20 deaths.
DPP supported and funded vigilantes and thugs even paraded through Blantyre wielding machetes thugs before the demonstrations, creating a climate of intimidation.
During one of the demonstrations in Blantyre, activist Billy Mayaya was hacked by DPP vigilantes in full view of the Police and the MDF.
After the fatal demonstration, the late President Bingu wa Mutharika publicly refused to take responsibility, labeling protestors as “thieves and looters.”
In his inflammatory message to civil society activists: “The blood of these people is on you. This time I’ll go after you! Even if you hide in holes I’ll smoke you out!” was emblematic of the dismissive and repressive posture of the government.
Media coverage of the unrest was shut down, and independent journalists were harassed, while state media echoed government narratives even as Human Rights Watch called for transparent investigations.
President Arthur Peter Mutharika, the current DPP leader, later offered a perfunctory apology at a rally in Mzuzu as he campaigned for office in 2019 terming the deaths “accidents,” but insisted the demonstrations didn’t reflect the will of the people.
Dr. Chakwera’s statement show that he is a leader who would want to ensure accountability for all while emphasizing due process over impunity. For the first time in years, both protesters and police may be held responsible.
With less than 80 days until polling, this tone sets a standard for peaceful democratic expression.
Given the DPP’s past handling of demonstrations, parading machetes, using lethal force, and controlling media, it’s unclear whether their stance has truly shifted.
Chakwera’s directive casts a shadow on the party’s legacy and forces opposition to clarify their commitment to democratic openness.
As the 2025 general elections approach, President Chakwera’s strong stance marks a pivot from the impunity and polarization of previous eras. It’s a declaration that violence, regardless of who commits it, cannot be used as a political weapon.
The lives of citizens, and the fate of the nation’s electoral credibility, may well depend on how this moment is handled.
