Two weeks after surviving a violent attack during a protest in Lilongwe, activist Sylvester Namiwa has spoken out, accusing Malawi’s security forces of complicity and warning that the country is descending into lawlessness.
Namiwa, Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), was among those assaulted on June 25 during a demonstration organized by Citizens for Credible Elections (CfCE).
The group demanded the resignations of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja and Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi over alleged electoral failures.
The protest turned chaotic when machete-wielding men stormed the crowd, injuring demonstrators and setting a minibus on fire. Eyewitnesses and video footage suggest police and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) personnel were present but did nothing to intervene.
“A message was sent that no one is safe in this country,” Namiwa said in his first public statement. “To be assaulted in full view of police and soldiers who did nothing — that is something I never imagined would happen to me.”
He further alleged that the attack was not spontaneous, but a coordinated act involving individuals in uniform, some of whom were familiar to security agencies. “Some who wore police uniforms were not officers — I have evidence,” he said. “And some who carried pangas were actual police officers.”
Namiwa dismissed accusations that the protest was politically sponsored by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), where he once served during its time in power. “These protests were funded by well-wishers who believe in democracy,” he said. “Those behind the violence are the same people who abducted me in 2022.”
He also made it clear that he has no political ambitions. “I don’t do this for power or positions. My activism is a calling. Even if I died that day, 100 more Namiwas would rise.”
In his strongest remarks yet, he issued a direct warning to President Lazarus Chakwera and his government: “If this government has chosen lawlessness, then Malawi risks becoming a banana republic. The people are watching, and they will not be silent forever.”
Despite his injuries, Namiwa vowed to continue pushing for transparency and democratic reforms, including an independent audit of Malawi’s election systems. “We wanted the electoral devices inspected. We don’t need Smartmatic machines that can’t be trusted.”
His statement has reignited public concern over growing tensions between civil society and the state. Meanwhile, no arrests have been made in connection with the June 25 attacks.
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