By Suleman Chitera, Lilongwe, Malawi
Tensions flared in Malawi’s capital on Thursday as the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) accused the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of orchestrating violent attacks against peaceful demonstrators during a protest held at Lilongwe Community Ground.
The demonstration, organized to demand the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja and Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi over alleged electoral mismanagement, turned chaotic when unidentified individuals armed with panga knives attacked protestors. Two vehicles were also torched during the mayhem, further intensifying public outrage.
In a strongly worded statement, DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba squarely placed the blame on the MCP, accusing the ruling party of financing and orchestrating the violence to suppress dissent.
“Violence is in the DNA of the Malawi Congress Party. They are the ones who bought the pangas and sent thugs to attack citizens who simply wanted to exercise their right to demonstrate,” Namalomba said.
He went on to accuse the MCP of creating a climate of fear and poverty in the country, citing economic mismanagement and political intimidation as hallmarks of the current regime.
However, the MCP has vehemently denied the accusations. The party’s second publicity secretary, Ken Msonda, responded with a counter-allegation, suggesting that the violence bore the signature tactics of the DPP.
“Everyone knows that this is the DPP’s style—sending people with panga knives to kill and intimidate others. These accusations are nothing more than a diversion from the DPP’s own record of orchestrating chaos,” Msonda said.
The blame game between the country’s two major political parties has left many Malawians concerned about the deteriorating state of democratic expression and political tolerance. Civil society groups have since called for an independent investigation into the attacks to determine who was behind the violence and ensure accountability.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the demonstrations have vowed to continue with their calls for electoral reforms, saying intimidation will not silence their demands for justice and transparency in the country’s electoral process.
As the political temperature continues to rise, stakeholders have urged both the MCP and DPP to exercise restraint and prioritize the nation’s peace and democratic progress over partisan interests.
