MISA Malawi Condemns “Barbaric Attacks” on Journalists and Protesters in Lilongwe
Published on June 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM by Evance Kapito
The umbrella body that defends and promotes media freedom in Malawi, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) , has strongly condemned the violent attacks on journalists, demonstrators, and bystanders during Thursday’s civil society-led protests at Lilongwe Community Centre Ground.
In a statement signed by MISA-Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga, the organization described the incident as a “barbaric act of violence” and an example of “state-sponsored impunity and deliberate inaction.”
According to the statement, a group of panga-wielding individuals assaulted protesters, journalists, and members of the public, while also setting vehicles on fire all happening in full view of both police officers and Malawi Defence Force soldiers.
MISA-Malawi says these attacks violate citizens’ constitutional rights to assemble and express themselves, warning that the continued failure by state authorities to act reflects dangerous levels of negligence and disregard for democracy.
“We therefore remind President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of our 2025 World Press Freedom Day Breakfast appeal for him and State agencies to authoritatively stop these senseless attacks on the right to assembly,” reads part of the statement.
MISA further urged the President to uphold Section 35 and Section 38 of the Republican Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
The statement also listed journalists assaulted during the fracas, including Aubrey Kuyere, a cameraperson for Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Faith Kaunde, a contributor at Nation Publications Limited, and Mercy Matonga, a reporter for The Times Group, with reports that some media personnel were forced to delete footage and photographs from the protest.
This condemnation by MISA-Malawi follows earlier statements by both the Malawi Law Society (MLS) and the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), who also expressed outrage over the violent scenes and called for urgent investigations and accountability.
