THE SILENCE OF LEADERSHIP
By Emerson Sam Navaya
I have watched the political change of our nation shift and tremble under the weight of promises made and broken. The Malawi Congress Party (MCP), led by President Lazarus Chakwera, has been at the helm since June 2020, following a historic court-ordered rerun election that ousted the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Yet, as the 2025 general elections loom on the horizon, a troubling pattern has emerged—one that threatens the MCP’s hold on power and raises questions about the state of our democracy.
The brutal attack on Sylvester Namiwa, the outspoken executive director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), in broad daylight, allegedly by MCP-affiliated thugs in the presence of police and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) officers, is a clear reminder of the past. It is a chilling echo of the MCP’s 30-year rule under Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, a period marked by repression and fear. If President Chakwera remains silent in the face of such violence, I fear the MCP’s days in power may be numbered, as opposition parties like the DPP seize the opportunity to capitalize on the ruling party’s weaknesses.
Photo: Namiwa being beaten up while police officers watching. -NPL fact file.
I recall the words of former President Peter Mutharika, who once warned that “one day evils will rule this country.” At the time, his statement seemed like political rhetoric, a jab at his rivals. But as I reflect on recent events, those words carry an unsettling weight. The attack on Namiwa, a respected activist demanding accountability from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), is not an isolated incident. It is a public display of thuggery, allegedly orchestrated by MCP youth operatives, with panga knives flashing in the sunlight as police and MDF officers stood by, seemingly complicit in their inaction. This is not the democracy we fought for when we ended one-party rule in 1994. This is not the Malawi we envisioned when we celebrated the Constitutional Court’s annulment of the 2019 election, heralding Chakwera’s victory as a triumph of justice.
Instead, it feels like a return to the dark days when dissent was silenced with fists and fear.
The MCP’s history is a heavy burden. From 1964 to 1994, under Banda’s iron grip, the party was synonymous with authoritarianism. Political opponents were jailed, exiled, or worse. The Malawi Young Pioneers, a paramilitary wing of the MCP, became a symbol of state-sanctioned violence. While the MCP of today is not the same as Banda’s regime, the recent resurgence of political violence—allegedly perpetrated by party supporters—revives those haunting memories. The opposition DPP has been quick to point out this pattern, condemning the “deafening silence” from President Chakwera in response to these acts. They argue, and I am inclined to agree, that a leader’s failure to denounce violence committed in their party’s name is tantamount to complicity. If Chakwera chooses to remain silent, he risks alienating the very voters who placed their trust in him to deliver a new era of governance.
Photo: the lorry that carried the demonstrators was burnt down to ashes- Social Media.
I have spoken to some Malawians across Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Mzuzu, and the sentiment is clear: people are disillusioned. The MCP came to power on a wave of hope, promising to “clear the rubble of corruption” and create jobs for the youth. Yet, five years later, the economy remains fragile, battered by global challenges like COVID-19, cyclones, and the war in Ukraine. While these are not entirely within the government’s control, the perception of inaction on domestic issues—coupled with incidents of political violence—has eroded public trust. The attack on Namiwa, for instance, is not just an assault on an individual but an attack on the democratic right to protest and demand accountability. Namiwa’s organization, CDEDI, has been vocal in calling for the resignation of MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja and CEO Andrew Mpesi, citing concerns over the electoral body’s credibility. The fact that such a call was met with violence, allegedly from MCP supporters, sends a dangerous message: dissent will not be tolerated.
This is where the opposition sees its opening. The DPP, led by Peter Mutharika, has positioned itself as the alternative, rallying around the narrative that the MCP has failed to deliver on its promises. Mutharika, a seasoned politician, has already secured his party’s endorsement for the 2025 presidential race, and his rhetoric is sharp. He accuses Chakwera’s government of being “incompetent” and vows to “fix the economy.” The DPP’s strategy is clear: highlight the MCP’s weaknesses, particularly its alleged return to violent tactics, to sway undecided voters. Other opposition parties, such as the United Transformation Movement (UTM), which recently lost its leader Saulos Chilima in a tragic plane crash, are also exploring alliances to challenge the MCP. A potential DPP-UTM coalition could reshape the electoral landscape, capitalizing on public discontent with the ruling party.
I cannot help but wonder if Chakwera’s silence is a calculated risk or a misstep. As a theologian-turned-politician, he has often presented himself as a moral leader, a shepherd guiding Malawi toward a better future. Yet, leadership requires more than words—it demands action. The MCP’s own statement condemning Namiwa’s alleged abduction was a step in the right direction, with party publicist Reverend Maurice Munthali calling it “incomprehensible and unacceptable.” But words alone are not enough. Malawians are watching to see if Chakwera will take decisive action—dismissing those within his party or government who enable or fund such violence, as some have called for. Without such action, the opposition’s narrative—that the MCP is reverting to its brutal past—gains traction.
The stakes for the 2025 elections are high. The MCP’s victory in 2020 was a landmark moment, marking the first time an African opposition leader won a court-ordered rerun election. But that victory came with expectations of change, not a return to the politics of intimidation. If Chakwera allows incidents like the attack on Namiwa to go unaddressed, he risks confirming the opposition’s accusations that the MCP is inherently violent, a party whose “DNA” is one of “theft and silencing critics.” The DPP, despite its own history of corruption allegations, is banking on this perception to regain power. They know that Malawians, tired of economic hardship and political violence, may be willing to overlook their past failures in favor of a promise to restore stability.
I fear for Malawi if this trajectory continues. A second MCP term marked by lawlessness, as some predict, would undermine the democratic gains we have fought so hard to achieve. The opposition’s strategy is opportunistic, yes, but it is effective. By focusing on the MCP’s failures—real or perceived—they are positioning themselves as the guardians of democracy. The DPP’s call for police investigations into political violence and their appeal to the Malawi Electoral Commission to address electoral concerns resonate with a public desperate for accountability. Meanwhile, Chakwera’s silence risks being interpreted as indifference, or worse, tacit approval of the thuggery carried out in his party’s name.
I am not here to endorse any party but to reflect the pulse of the nation. Malawians want a government that listens, that acts, and that protects their rights. The attack on Sylvester Namiwa was a wake-up call, a reminder that democracy is fragile and must be defended. If President Chakwera hopes to secure another term, he must break his silence, condemn the violence unequivocally, and hold those responsible accountable. Failure to do so will not only embolden the opposition but also risk plunging Malawi into a cycle of unrest and division. The choice is his, but the consequences will be ours to bear.
Thank you 🌹.
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