In 2025, the country’s security landscape was marred by a series of alarming incidents which exposed systemic failures and fuelled public anxiety amid political unrest and rising crime rates.
From attacks on activists and demonstrators to political violence and community crimes, the year witnessed the fragility of law enforcement and the pervasive sense of insecurity among residents and the civil society alike.
In May, a vehicle belonging to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was torched in Mponela, Dowa, amid rising tensions ahead of the September 16 General Election.
The authorities launched investigations, but the pattern of politically motivated violence left a sour taste in the public’s mouth.
Election-related tensions further exacerbated security concerns as reports of threats and intimidation against monitors, as well as disruptions to vote counting processes, were heard.
All this painted a picture of a country struggling to maintain order during a critical democratic exercise. Such episodes brought about fears among the citizenry of violence escalating in the run-up to and aftermath of the polls.
Community crime also surged in residential areas such as in Areas 25 and 49 in Lilongwe.
There, residents reported a spike in murders and armed robberies, forcing businesses to close early and residents to spend more on transport and security.
Political violence turned ugly on June 26 when activist Sylvester Namiwa, who led a demonstration calling for Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja and chief elections officer Andrew Mpesi to resign, was assaulted by machete-wielding assailants in full view of police officers and Malawi Defence Force officers.
The incident drew widespread condemnation, raising questions about professionalism and neutrality within security forces.
Later in November, the atmosphere of fear was compounded by the killing of Victoria Bobe, a respected gynaecologist at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Blantyre. She was murdered after unknown assailants entered her compound in Chigumula Township, highlighting a disturbing trend of violent attacks targeting professionals.
Land disputes and vigilante actions also contributed to the year’s insecurity narrative.
In December, demonstrators at Kawalazi Estate in Nkhata Bay abducted security guards in retaliation for arrests related to land conflicts. Protesters also looted property, exposing how land disputes continue to ignite violence and threaten security stability.
These incidents reflected systemic issues surrounding land tenure and the failure by authorities to contain such conflicts.
As despair among residents and activists mounted, community members demanded urgent police reform and better community policing 1while activists accused security forces of betrayal and politicisation.
These allegations threatened to undermine public trust further with calls for overhauling Malawi’s security infrastructure gaining momentum. This pointed to the need for accountability and systemic change.
As Malawi enters 2026, the nation faces a daunting challenge of restoring confidence in its security forces and addressing the underlying systemic issues that have allowed violence and insecurity to flourish.
Without decisive action, the cycle of violence and instability risks becoming entrenched, with profound implications for the country’s political stability and social cohesion.
