De m o n s t r a t i o n s constitute a sign of maturing democracy, where citizens express dissent, demand accountability and advocate for change without fear of reprisals.
The current crises haunting Malawians—fuel scarcity, rising cost of living, forex shortage and rampant corruption—cannot go without protests.
The nation transitioned to democracy in 1993, activating a bill of rights, including freedom of assembly.
Peaceful protests have partly shaped political discourse and public policy, with President Lazarus Chakwera one of its main beneficiaries of this right.
Before his ascendency, Chakwera walked shoulder to shoulder with protesters opposed ot the messy presidential election in 2019.
However, recent crackdown on protesters by pro-regime thugs have left concerned Malawians wondering: Have demonstrations become ill now?
The ser i a l p ro tes t s spearheaded by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) from 2019 to 2020 were staged against the tippexed re-election of then-president Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The HRDC and allied groups demanded the resignation of the
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson and a re-run, which came true when the courts cancelled Mutharika’s re-election and ordered a fresh election.
The protests played a significant role in overturning the election results, paving the way for Chakwera’s victory in June 2020.
However, the right to protest, enshrined in Section 38 of the Constitution, is now under threat as the Chakwera administration fails to protect demonstrators from armed thugs who block mass protests, particularly in the Central Region—his stronghold.
The ugly scene witnessed in Lilongwe recently has raised concerns about the state of political freedoms.
Government’s response to demonstrations is not consistent with democratic principles.
The violent confrontations during mass protests in Lilongwe, where thugs armed with machetes repel demonstrators, is alarming. Such incidents signal deterioration in the way the State handles public dissent.
Historically, this portrays the former regimes as relatively tolerant to demonstrations.
However, the rising violence against protesters, backed by pro-regime influencers and indifferent police officers who
look on blankly, suggests that the lines between State-sanctioned power and unlawful violence are becoming blurred.
Th e r i s e o f armed confrontations reflects a breakdown in the rule of law. While the government may be justified in seeking to prevent violence, the use of force and rogue groups to silence opposition is unacceptable in any democracy.
The state has a responsibility to ensure mass protests occur without fear of retribution or violence.
The armed youths, reportedly loyal to the governing Malawi Congress Party, raises questions about the role of political structures in new Malawi.
If not checked or condemned, this could escalate into widespread insecurity, undermining public trust in both the government and the police.
The blocking of demonstrations signals a shift in the attitude of the State towards civil liberties.
The Chakwera administration, which promised to champion democracy, is now seen as allergic to fundamental rights under the guise of maintaining law and order.
The situation is a stark
reminder that the protection of democratic rights is never guaranteed and the State machinery must be carefully scrutinised when it begins to curtail freedoms that promote political participation.
Blocking peaceful protests at will signals a return to authoritarian tactics to silent dissenting views.
In a democracy, the State must respect, protect and promote citizens’ rights to express their opinions, especially through peaceful demonstrations.
The Chakwera regime must revert to its commitment to promote transparency, accountability and human rights.
It must uphold democratic principles by ensuring that peaceful protesters are protected, and that political violence is decisively dealt with.
Only by doing so can Malawi preserve the democratic gains it has made since the 1993 referendum and provide a safe, open space for citizens to participate in the political process.
It is a colossal disgrace to block demonstrations in the name of ruling elites who benefitted immensely from the right they love to hate.
Let us build a truly democratic Malawi where the rule of the law applies without fear or favour. No one is above the law and human rights are unassailable.
