Malawi’s celebrated Governance and Human Rights Advocate, Undule Mwakasungula, has condemned the attacks unknown thugs perpetrated against civil servants who were planning to hold peaceful demonstrations in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

Sounding deeply concerned in a phone interview on Thursday, Mwakasungula said it was deeply troubling that the individuals, wielding panga knives, wooden clubs, hoe handles, and other offensive weapons, chose violence over engagement, denying their fellow Malawians the right to freely express their concerns.

“Violence has no space in our democracy, and no one has the right to take this country into retrogression by resorting to intimidation and aggression,” he said.

Mwakasungula further said it was sad that violence is surging at a time Malawians expected entrenchment of the rule of law, and respect for human rights, which include right to hold peaceful demonstrations.

He emphasized the need for Malawians to understand that the country’s democratic values are anchored in peace, tolerance, and the respect for fundamental human rights.

“One of these critical rights is the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration, as enshrined in our Constitution. Demonstrations are a legitimate and constitutionally guaranteed way for citizens to express their concerns and demand accountability from duty bearers. The Constitution clearly outlines that citizen are free to assemble and express their views as long as they do so within the confines of the law. It is, therefore, shocking and disheartening to see fellow Malawians being denied this right through the use of violence and threats.

“The civil servants who had gathered at the Memorial Tower in Area 18 had every right to proceed with their march to Parliament to deliver a petition. Their demand for a better salary increments and allowances was not only legitimate but also within their rights as workers. Unfortunately, a group of masked and unmasked youth emerged from the Botanic Gardens, brandishing weapons and intimidating the demonstrators. Such barbaric acts of violence do not represent who we are as a nation and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” said Mwakasungula.

The advocate further stated that it is in the interests of every peaceful loving Malawian to see that the Malawi Police Service to take swift and decisive action to investigate this incident thoroughly.

Hence, he called upon the law enforcers to ensure that those responsible for orchestrating and carrying out any act of violence must be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted according to the law.

“It is key to demonstrate that no one is above the law and that violent acts will not be tolerated in our country. Malawians must have confidence in the justice system, knowing that perpetrators of violence will be held accountable without fear or favor. As we move towards the 2025 general elections, it is imperative that we prioritize peace and national unity. Elections should be a time for Malawians to freely choose their leaders without fear of intimidation or violence. Political leaders have a responsibility to preach peace, tolerance, and respect for the law. They must rise above partisan interests and denounce any form of violence committed in their name or by their supporters. Malawi belongs to all of us, regardless of our political affiliations, and we must collectively ensure that peace prevails,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Mwakasungula has urged Malawians to join hands in promoting peace and rejecting violence, emphasizing that violence only serves to divide us and derail progress of the nation instead of building it.

“We must continue to build a culture of dialogue and mutual respect, where differing views are addressed through discussion rather than confrontation. It is our shared responsibility to safeguard democracy and maintain the peace that our country has worked so hard to build. Let us choose unity over division, dialogue over conflict, and peace over violence. Let us reject violence, embrace peace, and work together for the betterment of our mother Malawi,” he appealed.

Meanwhile, Leader of the House in the National Assembly and Minister of Local Government, National Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has dared fellow members of Parliament (MPs) from the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to address the vice.

Chimwendo Banda, in his contribution to the debate in the National Assembly on Wednesday, confessed that both MCP and DPP are to blame for the violence that is reigning supreme on the political scene.

“And I stand here today to ask, because this violence is mainly from DPP and MCP, DPP and MCP must resolve the violence in this country. It is DPP and MCP, and unfortunately, some members of Parliament are propagating this violence,” he lamented.