Chitenje Warns HRDC Against Fresh Protests

Senior Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) official Mike Chitenje has issued a strong warning to the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), urging the civic group to refrain from organizing fresh demonstrations against the current administration.

Speaking at a political rally in Nchalo, Chikwawa, on Saturday, Chitenje accused HRDC of selectively applying pressure on governments and questioned the coalition’s credibility.

He argued that during the five-year rule of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) under former President Lazarus Chakwera, HRDC did not organize a single protest despite what he described as “widespread suffering and poor governance.”

“For five years, not one day did HRDC mobilize Malawians to protest against the MCP leadership. But today they want to return to the streets as if the challenges started now,” Chitenje told party supporters.

Chitenje claimed that HRDC’s renewed activism is politically motivated and warned that the DPP will not tolerate what he described as “destabilizing activities” aimed at undermining the current administration.

His remarks come amid growing public frustration over economic challenges, rising living costs, and governance concerns—issues that HRDC has recently cited as justification for resuming nationwide demonstrations.

HRDC is yet to formally respond to Chitenje’s remarks, but the organization has previously defended its activism as nonpartisan, stating that its mandate is to hold any government accountable regardless of political affiliation.

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