By Suleman Chitera, Lilongwe, Malawi — June 27, 2025
A wave of condemnation has erupted from both the international diplomatic community and local media watchdogs following violent attacks on demonstrators and journalists during a protest at Lilongwe Community Centre Ground. The incident, which saw vehicles torched and civilians beaten by unidentified armed groups, has ignited growing concern over the Malawi government’s commitment to democratic principles and rule of law.
In a strongly worded joint statement issued today, heads of diplomatic missions from the European Union, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom called on the Malawian government to urgently uphold the Constitution by protecting citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.
“We are deeply concerned about the growing trend of violence during peaceful demonstrations,” the statement read. “The Government of Malawi must investigate the attacks, ensure accountability, and guarantee the safety of its people in line with international human rights obligations.”
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos at the demonstration, where protestors advocating for electoral reforms were ambushed by masked men wielding machetes. While the attackers operated in plain sight, security forces reportedly stood by without intervening.
This alleged inaction by law enforcement has drawn fierce criticism from MISA Malawi, the country’s media freedom watchdog. The organization condemned the attacks and rebuked the Malawi Police Service for its continued failure to protect citizens and journalists during public gatherings.
“Allowing armed groups to assault protestors and media personnel in full view of police officers is not just negligence — it’s a betrayal of public trust and a violation of constitutional rights,” said MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga in a press release.
The watchdog further warned that such tolerance of political violence could embolden future aggressors and further shrink civic space, already under pressure in the lead-up to next year’s general elections.
The diplomatic community and MISA have both called for immediate investigations and the prosecution of all perpetrators, cautioning that impunity will only deepen public distrust in government institutions and endanger Malawi’s democratic gains.
Meanwhile, social media platforms have been flooded with disturbing images and videos of the violence, prompting citizens and civil society leaders to demand answers. Opposition parties have accused ruling party elements of orchestrating the attacks, an allegation the government has neither confirmed nor denied.
As public pressure mounts, all eyes are now on President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration, which faces a critical test: will it act decisively to uphold constitutional order or allow a dangerous precedent of violence and silence to fester?
