The right to protest is enshrined in Malawi’s Constitution, a cornerstone of democracy that guarantees citizens a platform to express their discontent and demand accountability. Time and again, CDEDI has attempted to exercise this right in the face of difficulties – whether calling for the resignation of government officials due to the ongoing fuel crisis or questioning the legitimacy of processes electoral. And time and time again, these protests have been hampered by bureaucratic roadblocks or, more troubling, by deliberate efforts to prevent them. Using the excuse that the police are “too busy” as an excuse to shut down protests is not only disingenuous; it is an attack on the very principles of democracy that the police are sworn to protect.

It is particularly worrying that these interruptions are occurring while these protests are largely peaceful, with organizers doing everything possible to respect public order rules. This trend is hard to ignore: protests are often blocked or postponed under the pretext of security concerns, but there is rarely any real attempt to ensure that these events can take place safely and legally.

If Lilongwe City Council and the police are truly committed to maintaining law and order, then they should prioritize facilitating peaceful protests rather than obstructing them with bureaucratic excuses. Instead of using the police’s so-called “busy schedule” as an excuse, they should allocate resources to ensure that these protests take place safely, allowing citizens to exercise their rights while maintaining order .

Equally alarming is the growing threat of violence from pangas-wearing individuals who have repeatedly targeted peaceful protesters. These thugs, who often appear in the middle of protests, have only one goal: to intimidate, threaten and silence those who dare to express their opposition to the status quo. It is completely unacceptable that, even though the authorities claim to be too busy to facilitate protests, they seem incapable of protecting citizens from this type of violence. The presence of people armed with pangas on the streets is a blatant failure of law enforcement and a reminder that Malawi’s commitment to peaceful assembly remains under threat.

Whatever form it takes – whether political interference, bureaucratic obstacles, or outright violence – the right to protest must be protected. The Constitution guarantees Malawians the right to speak out, demand change and hold their government to account. Those who seek to silence these voices by blocking protests or using violence to intimidate protesters are not only violating this sacred right, they are also undermining the very democracy they claim to defend.

It is time for the Lilongwe City Council, the police and the government to stop making excuses and start respecting the rights of the people. The protests organized by CDEDI do not constitute a threat to peace: they constitute a call for accountability, transparency and a better Malawi. Any attempt to block these protests, whether through bureaucratic manipulation or violent intimidation, must be seen for what it is: an attack on democracy.

Malawians have the right to be heard. The authorities must stop obstructing this right and instead work to ensure that these and all other protests are protected and allowed to proceed peacefully. If we truly value democracy, then we must defend the right to protest, not only with words, but also with actions.