Malawi’s ruling party has rejected accusations that its members were involved in a violent assault on demonstrators last week, an incident that has heightened political tensions ahead of the country’s general elections set for September. The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) on Tuesday dismissed claims linking its supporters to the attack on a small group of protesters in the capital, Lilongwe.
The demonstration, organised by civil society groups, was calling for an independent audit of the electoral register and the resignation of senior officials at the electoral commission amid allegations of fraud. It was disrupted by a group of unidentified assailants, with reports indicating that at least two protesters were injured and two vehicles were set ablaze.
Human Rights Watch has joined a growing chorus of voices demanding a full investigation, warning that the incident reflects a worrying trend of political intimidation. The rights group urged Malawian authorities to examine claims by the opposition that the attackers—numbering between 10 and 20 and allegedly armed with sticks, machetes (known locally as pangas), and heavy whips—may be linked to a pro-government youth militia.
“The ruling party is being accused of using threats and violence to silence dissent in the build-up to the election,” the group said in a statement.
President Lazarus Chakwera, leader of the MCP, is seeking re-election in a country where approximately 75% of the 21 million population live in poverty.
Speaking on behalf of the MCP, party spokeswoman Jessie Kabwila rejected the accusations, saying the party had never encouraged its members to engage in violence. “We have never instructed our supporters to attack anyone,” she insisted. “Those making these claims should bring forward solid proof.”
Kabwila instead pointed the finger at the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), suggesting the violence was part of internal squabbles within their ranks. “This was their demonstration, and we have evidence they orchestrated it themselves,” she claimed. “Our focus is on winning the election through performance, not through violence.”
