The Malawi government has sparked outrage with a sudden U-turn on its stance towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite previous indications of protecting the rights of sexual minorities, the government now claims that same-sex relationships “do not exist” in the country.
This reversal comes after government representatives told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva that Malawi was taking steps to safeguard the rights of sexual minorities.
However, Ministry of Gender Principal Secretary Oliver Kumbambe disowned a press statement suggesting the government’s move towards inclusivity, calling it “false and malicious”.
The government’s new stance contradicts its earlier commitment to dialogue on the issue and ensuring all citizens, regardless of orientation, access essential services. Critics argue that this denial reflects a growing intolerance and an official attempt to erase an existing community from national discourse.
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of a 2024 High Court judgment upholding Malawi’s anti-homosexuality laws. Human rights groups have long documented the risks of arbitrary arrests, prosecutions, physical violence, and discrimination against LGBT people in Malawi.
The Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) director Gift Trapence accused authorities of double-speak, saying Malawi should “be honest about what it committed at the UN”. The government’s U-turn has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for clarity and consistency in its stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
