Dictatorship Back in Full Force; Malawi Army Ready to Side with MCP-MEC

The recent statement made by Malawi Army Commander, Paul Valentino Phiri to side with MEC for whatever reason during the forthcoming General elections  is not only worrisome but a new threat that Malawians must be ready to face head on.

The nation is aware that Valentino Phiri was appointed to that position in 2023 by Chakwera because he is Chewa by tribe and the intentions are now clear that he has vested interests in protecting this government by all means despite MCP government’s failures and oppressing the people in many aspects.

It is also not a coincidence that heads of Malawi Police Service, MEC and the Army are demonstrating lack of professionalism in handling issues of security and elections because they were appointed based on tribal lines.

This is a clear sign that Malawi is slowly drifting back to one party dictatorship where the army is usually used to oppress the people and instill fear in the population for political reasons. This is the first time in the history of the nation that such reckless statements are openly made to the public by the army. During the Mutharika era, the army claimed to stand with people when in actual sense they were behind MCP move to topple the previous regime.

The Malawi Defense Force MDF is a state military organization responsible for defending Malawi from external threats. Equally the army must be seen to ensure the constitution is upheld. But to announce ahead of time that the army will side with MEC make means they are smelling a dead rat.

One has to ask about what has necessitated that statement or declaration. Why should the army make such a statement at a time when many people are very unhappy with the current regime’s performance and the writing is on the wall for all to see.

Why should the army make such a statement when people are concerned about the use of Smartmatic machine for voting and vote counting? Why the army should make such a statement when MCP affiliated thugs are going around in broad day light hacking members of the opposition parties and civil servants?

The army recently made a joint statement condemning politically sponsored violence and promised to act against culprits if this continues. Since then the army has been dead silent following the attacks of DPP members on 11th May, 2025 at Mponera in Dowa in Central Region. The police acted unprofessionally and failed to assist the victims whose vehicles were also torched in the process.

Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga issued a stain warning to the two entities; Malawi Electoral Commission and the Malawi Defense Force MDF to tread carefully when handling issues of national importance especially the forthcoming elections.

The army must know that their primary duty is to protect Malawi, Malawians and the constitution from any threat that may rob them of their rights. Take note that this is the same Commander  who lied and gave conflicting statement with President Chakwera about the plane crash in Chikangawa where the Vice President, Dr Saulos Chilima and 8 others lost their lives in very suspicious circumstances. This was the MDF plane and no one from the army has been held accountable for the crash.

The key question is why is the army directly involved in these elections? The Malawi army must know that when the people are fed-up with an oppressive regime, there is nothing they can do to silence the voice of people – Vox populi.

MCP, Malawi Army and MEC must know that the will of the people prevails over any tyranny and remember that we are not the army and we don’t take orders from the army as in Bishop Martin Mtumbuka’s own words.

If Malawians sit back and observe this unfolding before their eyes, be rest assured that dictatorship is already back in full swing. If MCP is given another term, Malawi will be back to the worst oppressive regime ever experienced where many politicians will go into exile, many will be killed, some will be arrested without trial, freedom of speech will not be granted, freedom of association will be limited and controlled and there will be no opposition parties in Malawi, no civil society, journalists will be arrested and social media you see today will be gone. History will repeats itself.

The good news is that the only way we can prevent this and preserve democracy is for all eligible voters to wake up first thing in the morning on 16th September, 2025 to vote for freedom, democracy, rule of law, development, peace and prosperity for all. Say no to dictatorship, say no to suffering, say no to MCP in large numbers where the army will have no power and Mtakataka – Zikwanje shall do nothing to stop the revolution.