Malawian authorities have mounted a crackdown on dissent ahead of the general election rerun on 19 May by arresting two prominent human rights activists, Amnesty International said today.

Gift Trapence and Reverend McDonald Sembereka, who have been vocal critics of last year’s election, have been in police custody since yesterday after they were arrested in Lilongwe on 8 March for threatening to march to the State House. An arrest warrant has been issued against a third activist, Timothy Mtambo. The activists are linked with a local Non-Governmental Organization, the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC).

“The arrests of Gift Trapence and Reverend McDonald Sembereka are deeply troubling, coming amidst the highly charged political environment ahead of the election rerun. Many human rights defenders have been subjected to threats, including by President Arthur Mutharika and senior leaders of his party,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

Malawi authorities must immediately and unconditionally release the detained activists. Deprose Muchena

“Malawi authorities must immediately and unconditionally release the detained activists. The authorities must stop threatening, harassing and intimidating human rights defenders and allow them to freely exercise their rights.”

While Mtambo is yet to be arrested, Trapence and Sembereka were arrested yesterday and are in police custody. The activists have been leading national protests against last year’s election, which was subsequently nullified by the court. The country is now headed for another vote on 19 May, following a court order.

The three men have been targeted for mobilising people to protest against the election. In August 2019, Timothy Mtambo narrowly escaped harm after three petrol bombs were thrown into his compound. One hit and torched his car, while the second was thrown at the gate and the third narrowly missed his house.

“The latest arrests are part of a well-orchestrated campaign aimed at intimidating and harassing activists. It sends the chilling message that they will be punished for exercising their human rights,” said Deprose Muchena.

Background

Last week, the HRDC called on President Mutharika to assent to the new legislation that has been passed in parliament on the conduct of elections due to be held on 19 May, among others. The coalition threatened to march to the State House on 25 March if President Mutharika continued to delay assenting to the law and carrying out the necessary electoral reforms.

At the weekend, President Mutharika warned Mtambo and his leadership team at the HRDC that they would be dealt with if they marched to the State House. The president mentioned Mtambo, Trapence and Sembereka by their names. 

The Office of the Inspector General issued a statement earlier today, accusing the three activists of inciting people to break the law by calling on the public to march to the State House during their press conference on 6 March 2020.

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD, has welcomed a visiting high-level delegation from Malawi, led by Ralph Pachalo Jooma, Malawi’s Minister of Transport and Public Works, at the Fund’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening synergies and explored joint efforts to further finance development projects and investment opportunities in Malawi.

Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Deputy Director General of ADFD, and several high-ranking officials from the two sides, also attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Suwaidi said, “The visit of the Malawian Minister of Transport and Public Works is an opportunity to consult and enhance future cooperation between the Fund and the Malawian government in financing priority infrastructure projects.”

He added, “ADFD has played a crucial role in advancing sustainable economic development across the continent. Our development activities in Africa have achieved impressive results and contributed to ongoing efforts to realise the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, elevate living standards, as well as bolster sustainable economic growth.”

For his part, Ralph Jooma praised the leading role played by the UAE and ADFD in driving development initiatives and growth across the world’s developing nations, highlighting ADFD’s sustained development support to Malawi. He also thanked the Fund for supporting ventures that help achieve Malawi’s national development goals.

Since its inception in 1971, ADFD has funded development projects in 94 countries, including 40 African nations, to the tune of AED102 billion through concessionary loans, government grants, and investments. The Fund’s total expenditure in Malawi amounts to an estimated AED38 million.

ADFD has also invested in eight companies and two private equity funds to boost a variety of sectors on the African continent.