{"id":71329,"date":"2025-06-27T11:24:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T11:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/malawi\/all-news\/atupele-blasts-state-sponsored-violence-in-lilongwe-demands-accountability-ahead-of-polls"},"modified":"2025-06-27T11:24:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T11:24:00","slug":"atupele-blasts-state-sponsored-violence-in-lilongwe-demands-accountability-ahead-of-polls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/malawi\/all-news\/atupele-blasts-state-sponsored-violence-in-lilongwe-demands-accountability-ahead-of-polls","title":{"rendered":"Atupele Blasts \u201cState-Sponsored Violence\u201d in Lilongwe, Demands Accountability Ahead of Polls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Malawi. <\/strong><\/span>United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has come out guns blazing against what he describes as \u201cstate-sponsored violence\u201d following the brutal assault of Citizens for Credible Elections (CCE) leader Sylvester Namiwa during a peaceful protest in Lilongwe.<\/b><\/p>\n

The protest, aimed at demanding the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Justice Anabel Mtalimanja and Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi, turned violent when panga-wielding thugs attacked demonstrators in full view of Malawi Police Service (MPS) officers and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was not just violence\u2014it was a direct assault on our democracy,\u201d Muluzi said in a strongly worded statement on Wednesday. \u201cThat this happened under the watch of law enforcement and the military is both chilling and shameful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene in which thugs descended on the crowd, targeting protest leaders, including Namiwa, who was severely beaten. Videos of the attack have since gone viral, sparking public outrage and condemnation from human rights defenders and civil society.<\/p>\n

Muluzi, who is expected to contest in the upcoming September 16 general election, said the violent incident was a clear attempt to intimidate citizens and silence dissent.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo amount of beatings, pangas, or threats will stop Malawians from demanding accountability and credible elections,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will not be ruled by fear. This is 2025, not 1965.\u201d<\/p>\n

He called on the leadership of MEC, the police, the military, and all political players to act responsibly and uphold peace and democratic principles in the lead-up to the polls. He also urged civil society, faith leaders, and the international community to speak out against what he called a \u201cdangerous escalation of political intolerance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a time for courage, not cowardice. A time for leadership, not thuggery,\u201d Muluzi said.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Independent Complaints Commission has launched investigations into the incident, saying it is probing whether police officers failed in their duty to protect demonstrators.<\/p>\n

The attack has intensified calls for greater electoral transparency and cast a dark shadow over Malawi\u2019s fragile democratic landscape, just months before a high-stakes election.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Malawi<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Malawi. United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has come out guns blazing against what he describes as \u201cstate-sponsored violence\u201d following the brutal assault of Citizens for Credible Elections (CCE) leader Sylvester Namiwa during a peaceful protest in Lilongwe. The protest, aimed at demanding the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Justice […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":71328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,10],"tags":[233,371,234],"class_list":["post-71329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-parties","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-malawi","tag-malawi"],"yoast_head":"\nAtupele Blasts \u201cState-Sponsored Violence\u201d in Lilongwe, Demands Accountability Ahead of Polls - Malawi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/malawi\/all-news\/atupele-blasts-state-sponsored-violence-in-lilongwe-demands-accountability-ahead-of-polls\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Atupele Blasts \u201cState-Sponsored Violence\u201d in Lilongwe, Demands Accountability Ahead of Polls\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Malawi. United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has come out guns blazing against what he describes as \u201cstate-sponsored violence\u201d following the brutal assault of Citizens for Credible Elections (CCE) leader Sylvester Namiwa during a peaceful protest in Lilongwe. 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United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has come out guns blazing against what he describes as \u201cstate-sponsored violence\u201d following the brutal assault of Citizens for Credible Elections (CCE) leader Sylvester Namiwa during a peaceful protest in Lilongwe. 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