By Burnett Munthali

The MCP government should be ashamed of inflicting violence on unarmed demonstrators multiple times in the past five years.

This repeated violence against peaceful protesters is not just an attack on human rights but a blatant violation of the very principles on which democracy is built.

Throughout the years, the government has demonstrated an alarming tendency to resort to brutality when faced with public dissent.

Rather than listening to the voices of the people, the MCP has often opted for violent suppression, sending a dangerous message that free expression is no longer tolerated.

What is particularly concerning is that this violence has been state-sponsored, meaning that institutions and resources that should protect citizens have instead been used to oppress them.

State-sponsored terror has no place in a democratic Malawi—especially not now.

The purpose of any democratic government is to represent the will of the people and protect their rights.

When a government uses violence to silence opposition and curtail freedoms, it betrays the very foundations of democracy.

The use of state power to inflict terror on its own citizens undermines the trust people place in their government and severely damages the country’s democratic credibility.

At a time when Malawi is striving to build a strong and vibrant democracy, we cannot afford to allow the government to silence dissent through violence and intimidation.

Somebody is digging his own grave, and things are coming to be held accountable.

The leadership responsible for these acts of violence should be aware that such actions do not go unnoticed or unpunished.

No government can indefinitely survive by force alone—sooner or later, there will be a reckoning.

Those in power need to understand that using violence as a tool to maintain control is a dangerous path that will eventually lead to accountability.

The MCP leadership may believe they are securing their power now, but the reality is that the more they oppress their people, the more they dig their own grave.

History has shown that governments that rely on violence to suppress opposition ultimately face consequences, and this government will not be an exception.

The violence inflicted by the MCP government on civil servants on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, for simply demanding a pay rise is the worst form of violence.

Civil servants play an essential role in the functioning of the state, yet the government has chosen to punish them for standing up for their rights.

These individuals were not demanding unreasonable demands—they were seeking a fair and just pay increase for the hard work they contribute daily to the country.

Instead of addressing their concerns in a dignified and humane manner, the MCP government resorted to brutality and oppression.

This particular incident is more alarming because it targets a group that should be protected and supported by the government.

Instead of protecting workers and engaging in dialogue to resolve the issue, the government chose violence, demonstrating disrespect for the very people who keep the wheels of the government turning.

This is the worst form of violence because it is a direct assault on basic human rights and workers’ rights.

In a democratic Malawi, the government should be accountable to the people, and it should work towards peaceful resolution of disputes rather than resorting to force.

The people of Malawi deserve better than a government that responds with violence whenever its authority is challenged.

If the MCP government continues to foster this culture of violence and intimidation, it will soon find itself facing the consequences of its actions.

The future of Malawi’s democracy depends on a government that respects human rights, listens to its citizens, and upholds the rule of law.

We must reject the idea that violence is an acceptable response to disagreement or protest.

Malawians will not be silenced forever. One day, the leadership that has committed these abuses will be held accountable.

The MCP Government’s brutal assault on democracy: A dark chapter in Malawi’s history

By Burnett Munthali

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government must confront the painful truth of its legacy: a government that repeatedly resorts to violence against unarmed demonstrators over the past five years.

This violence against peaceful protesters is not merely an attack on human rights—it is a direct violation of the democratic values that Malawi was founded upon.

For years, the MCP government has consistently displayed a disturbing pattern of brutality when met with public dissent. Instead of engaging with its citizens in meaningful dialogue, the government has chosen to violently suppress opposition, sending a clear message that free expression and peaceful assembly are no longer tolerated.

The most alarming aspect of these attacks is the fact that they are state-sponsored. Institutions and resources that should protect the people have instead been wielded as tools of oppression.

State-sponsored terror has no place in a democracy—especially not in Malawi, a country that is still in the process of strengthening its democratic institutions.

A democratic government exists to represent its people, safeguard their rights, and protect the freedoms upon which democracy rests.

When a government resorts to violence to silence opposition, it undermines the very essence of democracy itself. By using state power to instill fear and curtail freedom of expression, the MCP government is eroding the trust its citizens place in their leadership and damaging Malawi’s standing as a democracy.

At a critical moment when the country is working toward a more vibrant democracy, it is unconscionable for the government to respond to legitimate dissent with intimidation and violence.

The leadership responsible for these brutal acts must recognize that their actions will not go unchallenged. Sooner or later, there will be a reckoning.

No government can sustain its rule through violence alone. Sooner or later, accountability will catch up with them.

The MCP may think they are securing their power through force, but the more they oppress the people, the closer they come to digging their own political grave.

History has shown time and again that governments that rely on violence to maintain control eventually face consequences. This government will not be immune to that fate.

One of the most shocking and egregious acts of violence occurred on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, when the MCP government targeted civil servants merely demanding a fair pay rise.

These public servants play an indispensable role in the operation of government. Yet, instead of being met with respect and an effort to address their concerns, they were met with force and oppression.

Their demand for a modest pay rise was entirely reasonable. These individuals work tirelessly for the state, and their only request was for fair compensation for their contributions.

Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue, the MCP government chose to use brute force, opting for violence over reason.

What makes this incident especially troubling is that civil servants—who are meant to be supported by the government—were subjected to violence simply for exercising their right to protest peacefully.

Rather than fostering an environment of collaboration and communication, the MCP government opted for force, displaying a shocking disregard for the very people who keep the government running smoothly.

This is a profound violation of basic human and workers’ rights—a severe and unjustified form of violence against the people who serve the nation.

In a functioning democracy, governments are expected to listen to their people and resolve issues peacefully. The MCP’s violent response contradicts the core values of democracy and human dignity.

The people of Malawi deserve a government that listens to their grievances and addresses them with respect—not one that responds to every challenge with violence.

If the MCP government continues on its path of intimidation and brutality, it will soon face the full consequences of its actions.

The future of Malawi’s democracy is at risk as long as the government continues to disregard the rights of its citizens in favor of violent suppression.

The people of Malawi deserve a government that upholds their rights, listens to their voices, and resolves conflicts peacefully, not one that uses force to maintain control.

We must reject the idea that violence is an acceptable response to disagreement or protest in a democratic society.

Malawians will not remain silent forever. The leadership that has committed these abuses will eventually be held accountable for their actions, and justice will prevail.