Malawi: Civil society organizations to protest in Lilongwe, March 7

A group of civil society organizations announced their intention to hold a peaceful protest to deliver a petition to authorities in the Mchesi area of Lilongwe on March 7. The march will start from the Lilongwe Community Centre Ground at 09:30 and end at the Immigration offices. Groups planning to protest include the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi), the Cdedi Mulanje Chapter, Malawi First, the Mangochi Concerned Citizens, the Mzuzu Youth Caucus, and the Social Revolution Movement (SRM). They will protest against the government's handling of Malawi's immigration service, whose electronic databases were reportedly hacked in late February.

Heightened security is likely where protesters gather and along marching routes. Ground travel delays are also likely in the Mchesi area of Lilongwe. Clashes between demonstrators and the police are possible if participants ignore police orders to disperse or if they are overly disruptive.