Incident Summary:

08/15/2019: Assailants threw petrol bombs targeting the home of Timothy Mtambo, chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), in Lilongwe, Malawi. There were no reported casualties in the attack. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Democratic Progressive Party (Malawi).

GTD ID:
201908220001

When:
2019-08-15

Country:
Malawi

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Lilongwe

City:
Lilongwe

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: NGO
Name of Entity Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC)
Specific Description House of Chairperson: Timothy Mtambo
Nationality of Target Malawi
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Incendiary Molotov Cocktail/Petrol Bomb
Weapon Details
Three petrol bombs were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) State Actors
Additional Information There is doubt that this incident meets terrorism-related criteria. Sources attributed the attack to the current ruling political party in Malawi. The Democratic Progressive Party controls the Presidency and a majority in the national assembly.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Democratic Progressive Party (Malawi) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 0
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"HRDC chair under siege," Times.mw, August 23, 2019.
"Mtambo’s house bombed because of protests – Government," Malawi24, August 16, 2019.
"HRDC claims cabinet ministers masterminded arson attack," Malawi24, August 15, 2019.