The European Union (EU) has threatened to withdraw support for police training in Malawi following violent attacks on demonstrators, journalists and passers-by at and around Lilongwe Community Centre on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
Rune Skinnebach EU Ambassador to Malawi says he expects a thorough investigation to identify and hold those responsible accountable.
He condemned the incident which happened in full view of Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) officers who watched the scenes without any intervention.
“I was shocked, disappointed and disgusted by yesterday’s events.
“We have been giving support to police training but that is something we will have to reconsider if the police does not make good use of the training, if they seemingly don’t intend to play their role and if their mandate is undermined by instructions from somewhere else” he enthused
The US Embassy in Malawi through its Head of Mission Amy Diaz has also condemned Thursday’s attack on unarmed protestors.
“I was sickened to see the violent against peaceful demonstrators by a group of armed assailants in Lilongwe yesterday. What was particularly appalling was the failure of the Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence Force to carry out their duties to protect their fellow citizens. A fundamental duty of government is to ensure that citizens can freely exercise their rights under the Constitution”
Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Malawi have also expressed concern over the growing trend of violence during peaceful demonstrations in the country’s cities.
This is contained in a joint statement released today by the EU, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, the United States and the United Kingdom.
They have since called on the Malawi Government to uphold the rule of law, investigate the attacks and protect citizen’s right to peaceful assembly as stipulated in the country’s Constitution.
A group of unidentified thugs armed with pangas assaulted those who had gathered to demonstrate demanding the removal of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja.
The panga-wielding thugs also burned vehicles used by the demonstrators. It was not the first time they have attacked demonstrators in the presence of state security agencies.
