The Government of the United States of America (US) has condemned a spate of lawlessness and political violence in the country and backed calls for accountability to bring to book perpetrators.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Amy Diaz said in a written response on Wednesday that those who engage in violence or otherwise interfere with peaceful demonstrations should be held accountable.
She said they join civil society organisations (CSOs) in urging the government to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities to safeguard the democratic rights of all Malawians.
“The rights to peaceably assemble and to protest are fundamental elements of a democracy,” said Diaz.
Her sentiments come hot on the heels of two separate incidents in the past fortnight where armed thugs took the law into their own hands by disrupting anti-government protests in Lilongwe in full view of Malawi Police Service officers.
Diaz said as Malawi prepares for the September 16 2025 General Election, authorities have a duty to ensure that candidates, political parties, the media and citizens are able to exercise their constitutional rights freely and securely.
She said: “Authorities have a responsibility not only to permit peaceful demonstrations, but also to protect participants from acts of intimidation or violence.”
In a separate interview, Alliance for Democracy vice-president Timothy Mtambo said on Wednesday that it was a big joke and senseless for police and local councils to shift dates for demonstrations.
“If the police are saying they have no capacity then let the military come in. To say they are busy is a lame excuse. They cannot delay the rights of citizens because when we want to protest, it means we are angry at something,” he said.
On Monday, Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu said the President preaches peace and rule of law where the right to hold diverse political views is respected. Twice in the past fortnight, the Lilongwe District Council asked organisers of protests to shift the dates citing commitments by police to other engagements.
