Civil rights activist, Silvester Namiwa, has urged Malawians to join Thursday’s demonstrations against the country’s persistent fuel shortage and electoral irregularities.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, Namiwa expressed shame over the fuel situation, emphasizing its severe impact on the nation.

“The fuel crisis has crippled Malawi’s economy, with ambulances and other essential services struggling to operate due to fuel scarcity,” he said.

He said concerns surround the Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) engagement with Smartmatic, a company accused of manipulating election results.

In his remarks, Joseph Pesh, leader of the Economic Freedom Movement, echoed Namiwa’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for collective action against the fuel crisis and electoral manipulation.

The demonstrations aim to pressure MEC to disengage Smartmatic’s election management devices, remove MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja, CEO Andrew Mpesi, and National Registration Bureau Principal Secretary Mphatso Sambo.