By Suleman Chitera Lilongwe, Malawi – June 27, 2025
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has issued a strong statement condemning the brutal attack on demonstrators in Lilongwe, calling on the Malawi Police Service to immediately identify and arrest the assailants.
In a press briefing held Friday morning, HRDC Chairperson Gift Trapence expressed shock and dismay over the incident, which occurred during a peaceful protest. The demonstration, aimed at pushing for electoral accountability, turned violent when a group of unidentified men wielding panga knives and other weapons descended on protesters.
“What happened in Lilongwe is not just an attack on individuals—it is an attack on democracy itself,” said Trapence. “These thugs acted with impunity, in full view of police officers and Malawi Defence Force soldiers, who shamefully failed to intervene. This level of lawlessness cannot go unpunished.”
One of the victims of the attack was Citizens for Credible Elections (CCE) leader Sylvester Namiwa, who was violently manhandled and had his clothes torn in the assault. Video footage circulating on social media shows Namiwa desperately seeking protection from uniformed officers, who stood by as the chaos unfolded.
“This is deeply troubling. Security agencies are supposed to protect citizens, not become spectators to violence,” Trapence continued. “We demand a full investigation, and we will not rest until those responsible—both the attackers and those who allowed it—are held to account.”
The HRDC has vowed to engage both local and international human rights bodies to apply pressure on authorities to act decisively. Trapence also called on President Lazarus Chakwera to publicly condemn the attack and ensure the protection of all citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
The Lilongwe incident has sparked widespread condemnation from various civil society organizations, political leaders, and the public, many of whom see it as a dangerous step backwards in the country’s democratic journey.
As investigations are awaited, pressure continues to mount on the Ministry of Homeland Security and the leadership of the Malawi Police Service to explain the glaring inaction of officers during the attack. The HRDC has given authorities seven days to act before it announces nationwide protests.
“This is not just about Namiwa or CCE. It’s about protecting the rights of every Malawian,” Trapence concluded. “We will not allow our democracy to be trampled by silence and fear.”
