Malawi riots, police deployed in cities

Blantyre - Riot police deployed in Malawi's cities and shops closed their shutters on Thursday for fear of a flare-up of protests which have already prompted international condemnation, including from Madonna.

At least one person was shot dead on Wednesday when police broke up nationwide protests against President Bingu wa Mutharika, accused by rivals of mismanaging the economy and trampling on democratic freedoms.

Shops closed and many workers headed home early on Thursday as protesters moved through Lilongwe's old town, looting stores as they went, said Mike Chipalasa, spokesperson of the state-funded Malawi Human Rights Commission.

"Many workers here in the capital city are returning home for safety and vehicles speeding away as demonstrators are gearing to cause violence," he told AFP, saying that the protesters had "started marching, blocking roads and threatening others".

In the commercial hub Blantyre, banks and shops closed for fear of new marches and looting, as riot police fanned through the satellite shopping town of Limbe.

"Most of these people are thugs who want to loot shops in the name of demonstrations," said Richard Nyimbo, a Blantyre resident.

Shops looted

Police waged running battles with activists on Wednesday in Blantyre, Lilongwe and the northern town of Mzuzu, where live ammunition was used to break up the protests, leaving one dead and six injured, according to a hospital official.

Police said they were still compiling a report on the violence in Mzuzu and would only say that "probably one died".

Shops were looted while homes and vehicles set ablaze Wednesday, as police fired teargas and beat back crowds with rifle butts.

Several activists and journalists were beaten and briefly arrested. Amnesty international said police had fired teargas into Lilongwe's hospital, forcing it to shut down.

"While police must take all necessary steps to protect the right to life, firing tear gas into a hospital, affecting patients unable to flee from the gas, is unacceptable," said Erwin van der Borght, the organisations's director for Africa.

"Where people are killed or seriously injured as a result of police action, the authorities must ensure there is a prompt, independent and thorough investigation," he said.

Peaceful solution

The violence was also condemned by American pop star Madonna who adopted two Malawian children and runs charities here.

"I am deeply concerned about the violence today in Malawi, especially the devastating impact on Malawi's children," said Madonna in a statement.

"Malawi must find a peaceful solution to these problems that allows donors to have confidence that their money will be used efficiently," she said.

Britain last week became the latest donor to cut aid to Malawi over concerns about economic management and Mutharika's moves to rein in the media, restrict lawsuits against the government, and restrain protests.

Malawi, one of the world's poorest countries, has suffered crippling fuel shortages since June as the government has run low on foreign currency to pay for imports, stoking public discontent.