Malawi: Protests continue in Lilongwe as of March 7 /update 1

Event

Around 300 people have formed a protest camp near the residence of President Peter Mutharika in Lilongwe as of Thursday, March 7. The demonstration has been organized by the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) to demand that President Mutharika improve protections for albino citizens. On Thursday, the president of APAM announced that the group would hold another march if Mutharika did not meet with them in person by Sunday, March 10. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are expected around all protest sites.

Context

The APAM previously organized a march to the State House on March 6 but were blocked by police officers before reaching the building. APAM leaders are calling for the government to form a commission of inquiry into the sale of albino bones as well as improving general security for the country's albino population. According to police statistics, 26 albinos have been killed in Malawi since 2013, including three people since January 2019.

Advice

Individuals in Lilongwe are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning, follow all instructions issued by authorities, and anticipate travel disruptions in the affected area.