Malawi President Mutharika declares war against albino terrorists: ‘Surely we will emerge victorious’

President Peter Mutharika on Monday described abductions and killings against people with albinism as terrorism against them and vowed his government will win the war.

He was speaking in Kasungu during the International Albinism Awareness Day.

“You have taken enough lives of my people. You have taken away the peace of the people with albinism. Now you will face the law. Your time is up, we are now at war,” said the President.

He said the minister of Justice Samuel Tembenu will soon table a bill in parliament aimed at strengthening the protection of people with albinism.

Mutharika  said the government has appointed a special prosecutor on cases of people with albinism.

He commended Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda for his decision to direct that all cases of people with albinism should be handled by people with albinism.

Mutharika said police have since arrested 130 people in connection with the abductions and murders of people with albinism and 69 cases are under way in courts.

“People elsewhere are taking us as fools, they think we are ignorant, this is embarrassing, it is deaming and it is sinful,” he said.

Mutharika  said his government remains vigilant and has have put in place strategies to eradicate the attacks of vulrnerable people.

“ These deliberate action plans are bearing fruits as our law enforcement agents are clamping down on the vice through arrests of perpetrators, special protection of people living with albinism and public awareness on what communities can do to join the fight,” he said.

The President said “fight rages on and surely we will emerge victorious against this evil.”

Meanwhile,  Amnesty International (AI)  has urged Malawi government to ensure that he rights of people with albinism must be guaranteed.

“Malawian officials must live up to their promises to end violence against people with albinism and tackle discrimination against this group,” AI said in a statement issued on Monday on International Albinism Awareness.

“Recognition by the Malawian authorities at the highest level that people with albinism not only experience daily discrimination but also live in constant fear of attacks is an important step in addressing the problem,” said Deprose Muchena, AI regional director for Southern Africa.

“Malawian police need more resources and must conduct thorough and effective investigations to bring the abductions and killings to an end.

“Visible policing in rural areas coupled with an effective public education campaigns can contribute significantly in arresting the problem,” Muchena said.

On June 7, an AI delegation presented the organisation’s latest report on Malawi to Mutharika and other officials, including the inspector general of police, the minister of gender, children, disability, and social welfare, and the minister of justice.

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