By Malawi Freedom Network reporter
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) and Malawi Defense Force (MDF) recently issued a warning against political violence, but this move raises more questions than it answers. Why are these warnings coming now, long after opposition supporters were attacked in broad daylight at Lilongwe Community Ground, Mbowe Filling Station, and Mponela? This belated action reeks of hypocrisy and a calculated political strategy, rather than a genuine commitment to safeguarding democracy and public safety.
A record of inaction
The brutal attacks on opposition supporters, carried out using panga knives, were not isolated incidents. They unfolded publicly, leaving a trail of injured citizens and a shattered sense of security. Yet, the MPS and MDF stood by, offering no significant intervention or condemnation at the time. Their silence during those critical moments speaks volumes about their alignment with the ruling elite and their failure to act as neutral protectors of peace.
Had the attacks targeted ruling party supporters, it is doubtful that the response would have been as tepid. This selective application of law and order highlights a deeply politicized security apparatus, one that seems more concerned with protecting those in power than upholding justice for all Malawians.
A last-minute repositioning?
Now, as political winds begin to shift and public sentiment turns against the current administration, the sudden warnings from the security forces appear to be a strategic repositioning. With growing indications that the government could change hands in September 2025, the MPS and MDF seem eager to rewrite their narratives and avoid being perceived as tools of the outgoing regime.
This is not the first time security forces in Malawi have been accused of acting in alignment with the ruling class. However, this recent move suggests a new level of opportunism. Rather than acting decisively to prevent violence or address injustices, they are now attempting to cover their tracks, issuing hollow statements that do little to rectify past failures or reassure the public of their neutrality.
Fooling no one
Malawians are not fooled by this sudden shift. The people recognize these warnings for what they are: an attempt to salvage credibility in anticipation of political change. While the warnings might serve to pacify some, they do nothing to address the deeper issues of impunity and selective justice that have plagued Malawi’s security institutions for years.
The question remains: where was this energy when it truly mattered? Why did the MPS and MDF fail to act when opposition supporters were under attack? The timing of these warnings undermines their legitimacy and raises suspicions about their true motives.
The path forward
Malawi’s security forces must do more than issue warnings after the fact. They need to demonstrate genuine accountability by investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the recent violence. Moreover, they must reform their institutions to ensure that they serve the people, not political interests.
For the incoming government, one of the top priorities must be to depoliticize the MPS and MDF. Without significant reforms, these institutions will continue to erode public trust and undermine Malawi’s fragile democracy.
Malawians deserve better than security forces that act only when it suits their political survival. Until real change occurs, the warnings from the MPS and MDF will remain nothing more than empty gestures, symbolic of a broken system in desperate need of repair.
