Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) executive director Sylvester Namiwa has vowed to continue his fight for democracy and freedom in the country.

He said this yesterday in Lilongwe, a few hours after  being found after his alleged abduction in Area 3 on Wednesday.

He said: “I will keep on fighting this government and I will not bow down to intimidation. I am ready to shed my last drop of blood to defend democracy in this country.”

Namiwa: I am ready to shed my last drop of blood to defend democracy

The civil rights activist was allegedly abducted and bundled into an unregistered vehicle by unknown people on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Cdedi spokesperson Edwin Mauluka, the incident happened 45 minutes after Namiwa and other human rights activists held a joint press conference at Crown Hotel to announce that their planned nationwide demonstrations scheduled for yesterday will go on.

The protests, among others, were meant to force President Lazarus Chakwera to keep his promise of reducing Presidential powers and to act on Section 91 (2) of the Constitution, to do away with the provision that protects the country’s President from criminal prosecution.

Mauluka said Namiwa was found yesterday noon in Lilongwe.

He said: “He was found at one of the bushes around Nathenje Trading Centre and we went to Area 3 National Police Headquarters to record a statement.”

In an interview yesterday, Lilongwe Police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu said police will investigate the alleged abduction.

Meanwhile, the President, through his presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda, said he was disturbed with the alleged abduction, adding that it is against his principles under the Super Hi5, which is the rule of law.

The President said he remains resolute in his commitment to fight any forces challenging government efforts to keep Malawi a free society in which every citizen enjoys their rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

“The President, therefore, condemns this lawless act and calls upon the Malawi Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to speed up investigations into the matter,” reads the statement in part.

Other rights groups such as the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, Malawi Human Rights Commission and the Pan African Civic Educators Network have also condemned and described Namiwa’s alleged abduction as unfortunate.—Additional reporting Suzgo Chitete

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