Thousands of Malawians on Friday took part in the country’s first
nationwide anti-government demonstrations since 2011, with peaceful
protests held in six cities.
The marches, organised by civil action groups, were against alleged
corruption and poor governance under President Peter Mutharika, who has
ruled the country since 2014.
“Peter should resign!” chanted crowds dressed in red, as they were
accompanied by a heavy police presence in Blantyre, Lilongwe and other
cities.
Some members of Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had
threatened to disrupt the protests, but the event passed off without
clashes.
At the July 2011 anti-government protests, police opened fire killing
20 unarmed civilians in scenes that shocked the country and saw
international donors cut aid.
Malawi is one of the world’s poorest and most aid-dependent countries.
Former president Joyce Banda returned to Malawi on
Saturday after four years of self-imposed exile, despite facing the
threat of arrest over corruption allegations.
