Albino Populace An Endangered Species In Africa

Malawi President Mutharika pledges 5 million bounties to anyone for albino abductors, killers     People living with albinism are am...

Malawi President Mutharika pledges 5 million bounties to anyone for albino abductors, killers    

People living with albinism are among the most marginalized and vulnerable with little attention or no protection at all to shield them from human rights violations, threats, and violent crime. Although the extent of violent crimes in countries like South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the western African region has not reached the levels encountered in other African countries especially in some parts of the African Great Lakes region. Particularly, (Malawi and Tanzania) where evidence indicates a surge in violent crimes albinos. The new resurfacing ''cult of blood'' plus doom churches with fake pastors who promising miracles to their fanatical worshipers and congregational followers who jeering to touch a lifely blood of Jesus has worsened the situation. 


The vulnerability of these persons requires immediate attention before it spirals out of control. It is clear that a case is to be made for compelling, in particular, the state to intervene. Previously, South African Constitutional Court in the Carmichele case, has introduced a debate on the state's affirmative duty to prevent, investigate and punish violent acts against persons with albinism, as it is feared that the incidents may trigger the same copycat crimes.

In February 2019, Malawian association for albino organized their emergency midweek meeting with President Peter Mutharika, the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) has demanded that the government immediately start providing full protection to all persons with albinism. “In everyday life, people with albinism are frequently treated as being lesser than human beings. ''They face stigmatization and other significant barriers to the enjoyment of their economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights,” this was said in the statement signed by APAM president Overstone Kondowe, chairperson for Federation of Organizations in Malawi Annita Hanjahanja and Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and chairperson Timothy Mtambo. 

In the statement, the organizations said people with albinism in the country apart from living fearfully, are also being segregated from many community activities and are barred from accessing some other services which include: health, education, and Justice. 

President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, Thursday, 28th February 2019, met a group of people with Albinism under their umbrella body, Poor and Concerned People with Albinism (PACPWA) at Kamuzu Palace in the capital city of Malawi, Lilongwe. The meeting was attended by among others, Cabinet Ministers, Traditional Leaders, the Police officers, and other key stakeholders.

The government of Malawi has an obligation through the constitution, of Malawi, African Charter on Human and people’s rights, the convention on the rights of persons with Disability and other pertinent human rights treaties to ensure safety and security for all people including vulnerable groups. reads part of the statement. APAM, FEDOMA, and HRDC said through the press statement that they are happy that the government has shown its commitment to fight for the rights of persons with albinism in the country. 

However, they said they are saddened that the commitment shown by the government has not been demonstrated by taking any necessary and effective measure to combat the barbaric act which they said have made them live in fear. They continued to say that they have now put their hope to Mutharika that the Malawi leader being the custodian of the Malawi constitution has the responsibility to make them happy since he is at the helm of all government operations and affairs.

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