Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, witnessed violent clashes on Monday as police used tear gas to break up a demonstration demanding the resignation of government officials amid a continuing fuel shortage that has paralyzed the country for nearly a month.
The protesters, who gathered early in the morning at the Lilongwe Community Centre, expressed their outrage over the ongoing fuel crisis that has severely disrupted transportation and vital services, including healthcare. The shortage has led to long queues at fuel stations, power outages, and widespread frustration among Malawians. Many protesters chanted anti-government slogans and carried placards demanding action from the authorities to end the crisis.
Within an hour of the protest’s commencement, security forces moved in, using tear gas to disperse the crowd. No injuries or arrests have been reported, but the confrontation has intensified an already volatile situation in the country.
The demonstration was organized by the Centre for Democracy and Economic Initiatives (CDEDI), a prominent civil society group, and was supported by religious bodies, including the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), as well as opposition parties such as the United Transformation Movement (UTM) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The protesters are calling for the resignation of Energy and Mining Minister Ibrahim Matola and Henry Kachaje, the Chief Executive of the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), accusing them of failing to resolve the fuel crisis.
Sylvester Namiwa, Executive Director of CDEDI, condemned the police response as “barbaric and brutal,” insisting that the protest would continue until their demands for accountability are met. “We have the legal right to protest, and no form of violence will deter us from continuing our fight for justice,” Namiwa told Anadolu news agency.
The fuel shortage has had a devastating impact on Malawi’s public transportation system and essential services, with hospitals and clinics struggling to maintain operations due to power cuts caused by the lack of fuel for generators. The government has attributed the shortage to a combination of global supply chain disruptions and an ongoing four-year shortage of foreign exchange, which has made it increasingly difficult for the country to import sufficient fuel.
Malawi, a landlocked nation, relies on fuel supplies from the Gulf countries, transported through Tanzania. The government has urged patience, attributing the situation to external factors beyond its control.
Critics, including consumer rights activist John Kapito, have described the fuel crisis as a severe violation of basic rights, calling on the government to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the people. “This crisis is putting undue strain on the population. The government must find a lasting solution to end the shortages,” Kapito stated.
As protests continue across the nation, the pressure is mounting on the government to address the fuel shortage and the broader economic challenges facing the country. With widespread dissatisfaction growing, many are waiting for concrete measures to be implemented to resolve the crisis and prevent further unrest.
