The demonstrations laying the foundation for regime change led by Civil Society Organizations allegedly affiliated with the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have been stopped by District Commissioner for Lilongwe City Council, Lawford Palani. The Human Rights Ambassadors (HRA) have told that the police are overstretched to provide security to the marchers and third-party property along the route stating that the Police will be busy deploying their personnel to assist in the fuel distribution exercise across the nation.
The letter also said police officers have also considered the voice note by Ben Longwe, one of the HRA members, in which he is said to have encouraged violence among protesters.
The letter reads in part: “In line with the above-stated provisions, and pursuant to Section 101 (1) as read with Section 105 of the Police Act of 2010, you are being advised to postpone your proposed demonstrations on the national security point of view.”
HRA planned to hold demonstrations in Lilongwe on Wednesday, to ask President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima to step down or call for a referendum for allegedly failing to govern the country.
They cited the high cost of living and shortage of essential commodities such as fuel, forex, and medicine in the country’s hospitals as a sign that President Chakwera has failed. The protests are expected to start from Wakawaka via Old Town (Area 3), to Parliament building where the leaders will make a speech and then proceed to Capital Hill to deliver a petition.
