CSOs to Engage Private Security Agents ahead of June 20 Demos

Organizers of June 20 nationwide demonstrations say will earlier this week meet authorities at police and city councils to discuss security arrangements during the protests.

Vice chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, Gift Trapence, says they have already notified the authorities on their intention to hold the demonstrations on Thursday.

They want chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Justice Dr. Jane Ansah, to step down, accusing her of manipulating May 21 presidential elections results.

“Malawians are aware that we did demonstrations last year and we are able to meet the police and city assemblies to arrange for security details. We notified them last week and they acknowledged receipt and we expect to meet them on Monday [today] or Tuesday because we would want to plan early so that we don’t have logistical challenges.

“We want to be assured that police will be able to protect demonstrators and we will make sure that we have peaceful demonstrations,” he said.

Trapence further added that they will engage private security agents to help control demonstrators.

“We always have that arrangement to make sure that demonstrators do not violate other people’s rights,” he said.

Meanwhile, UTM leader, Saulos Chilima, has called his supporters to join the demonstrations