Malawi is quickly sliding into a dictatorship where it is a crime to hold dissenting views to government policy, leaders of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Livingstonia Synod, have warned.
The charges came after the arrest and subsequent release of the synod’s general secretary, Rev. Levi Nyondo.
“We are shocked and surprised that government could stoop so low to arrest a general secretary of a reputable church,” said synod moderator Rev. Mezuwa Banda.
“Malawi is sliding back to the era of dictatorship and as a church we will not allow this to continue.”
Nyondo was arrested on Aug. 20 after speaking at the funeral of former cabinet minister Moses Chirambo, who died just days after being dismissed from the government.
Nyondo said it was ironic for the government to praise Chirambo when it had removed him from the cabinet. He said the government appeared to want the president’s brother to lead the country.
Nyondo was charged with sedition for uttering words that could incite public anger. — ENI
