President Peter Mutharika has moved to protect people with albinism by ordering security and law enforcement agencies to urgently track down and prosecute perpetrators of their attacks.
In an interview yesterday, presidential press secretary Cathy Maulidi said the President is deeply concerned about the continued attacks targeting persons with albinism.
“The President condemns these acts in the strongest terms and has issued a directive to law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said.
Maulidi added that the President is also ready to engage with the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (Apam) to hear their concerns and discuss solutions.
In a separate interview yesterday, Apam president Young Muhamba welcomed the directive, but urged the President to deliver a national address to demonstrate his commitment and send a strong message to law enforcement.
“It will carry weight if the President speaks to the nation. These attacks concern lives and law enforcement must know the President wants decisive action,” he said.
Muhamba also called for expedited rollout of a new national action plan on persons with albinism and proper allocation of resources to protect the community.
Malawi Human Rights Commission executive secretary Habiba Osman said enhanced security, prosecution and civic education must be sustained nationwide, with community and faith leaders actively involved.
The first National Action Plan on Persons with Albinism, launched in 2018, expired in 2022.
On Sunday, Apam urged Mutharika to act immediately against rising attacks on people with albinism to guarantee their safety.
The call followed reports that a man with albinism in Mulanje, Israel Mbewe, has been missing for over six weeks with no arrests, while in Dowa, Mausamatha Zacharia’s grave was exhumed last week and his hands removed.
