The European Union (EU) and United States (US), and seven other foreign missions in the country have strongly condemned Thursday’s machete attacks on protesters in Lilongwe, warning that the violence—in full view of security forces—threatens the integrity and credibility of the September 16 General Election.
In a joint statement issued yesterday, the heads of mission expressed alarm over “a trend of violence during peaceful and lawful demonstrations in Malawi’s cities”.
They stated that the right to freedom of assembly is enshrined in the Malawi Constitution and must be protected.
The diplomatic backlash follows an incident in which about 60 panga-wielding assailants descended on protesters from Citizens for Credible Elections, who had gathered at the Lilongwe Community Centre Ground to demand the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja and chief elections officer Andrew Mpesi.
Demonstrators, journalists and bystanders were beaten, property vandalised, and vehicles torched. Footage and photographs from the scene show that Malawi Police Service (MPS) and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) officers who had been present before the attackers arrived on the scene, were largely inactive, besides throwing a few rounds of tear gas.
In an exclusive interview yesterday at the EU Embassy in Lilongwe, EU Ambassador Rune Skinnebach said the incident raises serious concerns about the credibility and safety of the electoral process.
He said: “This, for me, is of huge concern. We are not even in the formal campaign period yet, and incidents like these, where police appear unwilling or unable to perform their role, are a huge concern.”
The envoy also questioned the political logic behind the attack, arguing it could backfire against those who orchestrated it.
Stated Skinnebach: “I don’t know what to think of this, because I find it so unstrategic. Whoever deployed those guys with pangas—and I’m sure it was orchestrated from somewhere—made a huge mistake. I don’t think Malawians want violence in their elections.
“I don’t think Malawians want people chasing them with pangas when they exercise their right to express their views. I don’t think that you gain support as a political party by being suspected of mobilising such types.”
While reaffirming the EU’s readiness to observe the elections, Skinnebach said the observer mission’s deployment depends on swift administrative steps and a secure environment.
“The EU has accepted Malawi’s invitation to observe the election, but is awaiting final paperwork,” he added.
The US Embassy issued a parallel condemnation in which Chargé d’Affaires Amy Diaz said she was “sickened” by the scenes of violence, particularly the apparent inaction of State security personnel.
Reads the statement: “What was particularly appalling was the failure of the Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence Force to carry out their duties to protect their fellow citizens. A fundamental duty of government is to ensure that citizens can freely exercise their rights under the Constitution.”
At the domestic level, the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and the Media Institute of Southern Africa–Malawi Chapter (Misa-Malawi) joined the chorus of condemnation.
In a strongly worded statement, the MLS accused the State of deliberately suppressing constitutional freedoms, citing Sections 15 and 38 of the Malawi Constitution to support its position.
MLS added that Thursday’s events raised serious doubts about the Police Inspector General (IG) Merlyne Yolamu’s “competence and impartiality”.
The law society has since demanded decisive action, including the dismissal of senior government officials, Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Ching’oma and Yolamu.
MPS’ failure to protect demonstrators comes barely a month after Yolamu promised the nation during the Public Affairs Committee all-inclusive conference in Blantyre, the police would maintain peace and discharge its duties without fear or favour.
Misa-Malawi, in its statement signed by chairperson Golden Matonga, expressed deep concern over the State’s failure to protect both protesters and journalists from politically motivated violence.
“The State’s deliberate procrastination and impunity on panga-wielding groups attacking protesters is not only appalling but contravenes the Republican Constitution, which guarantees the right to assembly and emphasises the State’s obligation in protecting its citizens,” it reads in part.
As of last evening, no government spokesperson had confirmed whether any arrests had been made or investigations launched.
With less than three months to the polls, the diplomatic community’s coordinated response signals rising international concern about political violence, State accountability, and the credibility of Malawi’s democratic institutions.
On its part, the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) has called upon the police and all relevant authorities to promptly investigate the incident, identify and prosecute those responsible, and implement measures to prevent future violence.
“Continued inaction erodes public confidence in law enforcement institutions and poses a serious threat to national unity,” said the commission in a statement signed by its chairperson Mary Nkosi.
The faith community through quasi-religious body Public Affairs Committee (PAC) and the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) has also added its voice describing “the vicious assault on unarmed citizens to the burning of their vehicles” as a grave violation of human rights and a blatant attack on Malawi’s democratic fabric.
“If the so-called ‘panga team’ had been affiliated with the opposition, we are convinced that arrests would have been swift and ruthless. The continued failure to bring these assailants to justice points directly to political protection from the highest levels of power in the governing party.
“We will not normalize lawlessness nor will we be intimidated into silence. The failure of the MPS to uphold law and order in this matter is a dangerous signal to the nation that justice is no longer blind, but selectively applied,” said MCC in the statement warning the police’s credibility “is hanging by a thread,” read the statement.
PAC said while it respected the police and MDF for the tireless job they discharge in the country, the act of negligence had gone too far to swallow.
Said PAC: “We call upon the MPS to uphold their pledge of professionalism as pronounced during the 6th All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference held in May 2025… As we move towards elections, let us stand for peace, justice, and the rule of law.”
Political analyst Victor Chipofya Jnr observed the incident has the potential to plunge the country into a civil unrest which would be disastrous for the country.
He also agreement with calls for Yolamu and Ching’oma to resign “unless they give a proper explanation why they did not act and witnessed citizens being beaten.”
“What happened is retrogressive. Instead of moving forward we are moving backwards. That could plunge the country into anarchy and that will destroy our nation. Many countries have plunged into civil wars because of such incidents,” he said.
Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) chairman Benedicto Kondowe said the calls for the two officials’ removal were legitimate demands for accountability and not emotional reactions.
“When those tasked with protecting rights instead enable or overlook their violation, they must answer for it. Failure to act only normalizes impunity. Their resignation or removal is essential to restore public trust, uphold the rule of law, and affirm that no public office is above responsibility,” he said.
Kondowe said Malawi was treading a dangerous path as suppressing dissent weakens the country’s democracy and emboldens abuse.
“If leaders continue to neglect their duty while citizens are brutalized, fear will replace freedom, and silence will masquerade as peace. This leads to growing public unrest, loss of institutional credibility, and democratic decay. Bold action is needed now to steer the country back to constitutional order,” he said.
But an expert in conflict and peace management, Master Dicks Mfune observed the removal of the two public officers was not a solution as the issue is about the legacy of political violence.
He said: “This is a legacy of political violence that has been passed on so even if they fire the two, the system will not be broken.
“So this is likely to escalate as we move closer to the elections and I am seeing more demonstrations and violent acts after the elections… The major implication is that people and other stakeholders may not accept the outcome of the elections.”
Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has said leaders of all opposition parties were meeting on the incident.
“This is a sad day for Malawi. The genocide in Rwanda began with young men wielding pangas and brutally attacking their own countrymen, while government “It is a tragic reality that such atrocities are now a common occurrence here in Malawi. Despite having a President Lazarus Chakwera, who has the power to condemn and arrest these criminals, has chosen to turn a blind eye,” said DPP spokesperson Shadrec Namalomba.
However, he said while demands to have the minister and police head removed or resign were justifiable, they were not enough.
