Lilongwe, Malawi — Malawian police have arrested Elija Mike Banda, a human rights activist, accusing him of inciting violence through online posts calling for the release of MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda.
The arrest follows a series of Facebook posts in which Mr. Banda criticized the continued detention of Mr. Chimwendo Banda and delays in delivering a court ruling on his bail application. In the posts, Mr. Banda warned that the prolonged detention could lead to public anger and possible unrest.
According to police, Mr. Banda suggested that if justice was not delivered, there was a risk of spontaneous demonstrations that could disrupt public order. Authorities say such statements amount to incitement.
Supporters of Mr. Banda argue that he was issuing a warning, not a threat. In his posts, he said he was concerned that injustice could spark protests, including road blockages, business closures and acts of vandalism. He wrote that “anything is possible as days go by” and cautioned that growing frustration among citizens could ignite unrest if the situation remained unresolved.
Mr. Banda also insisted that his comments were meant to alert authorities to the dangers of delaying justice, not to encourage violence. He warned against his own arrest, saying he was merely “advising” those in power.
The arrest comes at a time of heightened political tension in Malawi, where the detention of senior political figures often draws strong public reaction. Legal experts and civil society groups have repeatedly stressed the importance of timely court decisions, especially in politically sensitive cases.
As of now, police have not disclosed when Mr. Banda will be taken to court. Human rights groups are closely watching the case, raising concerns about freedom of expression and the use of public order laws against government critics.
