By Suleman Chitera
Reactions continue to pour in from various quarters following President Lazarus Chakwera’s national address delivered last night, in which he outlined expectations for the political landscape ahead of Malawi’s September 16 General Elections.
In his speech, Chakwera appealed for peace, unity, and tolerance during the official campaign period, which opened this week and is scheduled to close on September 14, 2025. He emphasized the need for a violence-free election environment, urging political players and supporters alike to engage in peaceful conduct throughout the campaign season.
The President also encouraged victims of political violence to report such incidents to law enforcement agencies, particularly the Malawi Police Service, for timely action. His call appeared aimed at promoting accountability and ensuring that the electoral process is not marred by unrest.
However, the President’s message has sparked a wave of criticism from some sections of civil society, who argue that it fell short of addressing lingering concerns about past political violence.
Steve Chimwaza, spokesperson for Citizens for Credible Elections, labeled the address a “missed opportunity” for the President to confront unresolved cases of political aggression. Speaking to MIJ Online, Chimwaza pointed specifically to the June 26 incident where civil rights activist Sylvester Namiwa was attacked during demonstrations — an event he claims happened under the watch of passive security forces.
“While the President’s call for peace is appreciated, Malawians expected him to go a step further and address real cases like the assault on Namiwa,” Chimwaza said. “Leadership is not just about making appeals but taking decisive action. The President should have ordered the police to arrest those involved in such criminal acts.”
Chimwaza warned that without clear action against perpetrators of political violence, public confidence in both the political system and law enforcement would remain fragile.
As the campaign period gains momentum, many Malawians are now watching closely to see whether Chakwera’s call for peace will be backed by concrete measures from both political leaders and security agencies.
The coming weeks are likely to test the country’s commitment to a democratic process free from intimidation and violence.
