Former Presidents of Malawi Condemn Violence and Demand Electoral Justice Ahead of 2025 Elections

Dr. Bakili Muluzi, Dr. Joyce Banda, and Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, three of Malawi’s former heads of state, have strongly condemned the violence and unlawful actions that erupted during peaceful protests on November 13, 2024, in Lilongwe. The protests aimed to highlight widespread concerns over the chaotic registration process for the upcoming 2025 General Elections.

The former leaders decried the brutality inflicted on demonstrators, describing it as a severe assault on the nation’s democratic principles.

In a joint statement, the former Presidents expressed outrage at the actions of the police, emphasizing that the violence witnessed represented a grave violation of the rights guaranteed by Malawi’s Constitution and international law. They called the events unlawful and a direct affront to the principles of justice, order, and human dignity upon which Malawi’s democracy is built.

1. > “The violence witnessed on November 13 was an affront to our hard-won democracy. This brutality against peaceful demonstrators represents a direct attack on the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution and the international agreements we are signatories to,” the former Presidents stated.

Constitutional Rights and International Commitments

The former leaders underscored that the Malawian Constitution, alongside treaties under the United Nations, African Union, and Southern African Development Community (SADC), guarantees citizens the right to free and fair elections conducted by an independent electoral body. They further highlighted that these documents protect fundamental freedoms, including expression, assembly, and association.

Section 40 of Malawi’s Constitution guarantees political freedoms, while Section 38 enshrines the right to peaceful demonstration. The former Presidents urged authorities to respect these rights, particularly as Malawi approaches its critical 2025 elections.

> “It is vital that Malawians are allowed to peacefully assert their constitutional right to participate in the electoral process. Democracy thrives when citizens can freely voice their concerns without fear of violence or intimidation,” they noted.

Key Demands for Justice and Reform

The three former Presidents issued a set of demands to address the ongoing crisis and ensure a credible electoral process:

1. Police Accountability: The Inspector General of Police must launch an immediate investigation into the violence, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure justice is served using available evidence.

2. Government Condemnation: President Lazarus Chakwera and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) must publicly denounce the violence and reassure citizens that such acts will not recur.

3. Electoral Transparency: The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) must urgently address issues contributing to the crisis, including the controversial use of the Smartmatic system. The National Registration Bureau (NRB)’s failure to issue Mzika cards must be resolved to prevent voter suppression.

4. Registration Compliance: The NRB must adhere to court rulings requiring its presence at all registration centers to issue Mzika cards promptly. Additionally, the failure of Election Management Devices (EMDs) to register voters must be resolved immediately to safeguard the integrity of the voters’ roll.

A Call to Action

The former leaders concluded their statement with a firm reminder of the importance of protecting Malawi’s democracy:

> “The time for action is now! Our democracy demands it. The citizens of Malawi have a right to free, fair, and transparent elections. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the integrity of our electoral process is upheld.”

As Malawi prepares for its 2025 elections, calls for electoral justice are growing louder. The joint statement from Dr. Muluzi, Dr. Banda, and Professor Mutharika serves as a powerful reminder that democracy is fragile and must be safeguarded through collective action. Their message is clear: Malawi must work together to ensure violence, manipulation, and disenfranchisement do not mar the upcoming elections.