The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has defied calls by Paramount Chief Kyungu and other stakeholders to cancel planned demonstrations over the delayed rehabilitation of the Karonga-Chiweta Road, insisting that the protests will go ahead on 1 July.

The standoff follows opposition from Paramount Chief Kyungu, Senior Chief Karonga and some Civil Society Organisations in Karonga, who have warned against the demonstrations, saying they fear a repeat of the 2019 protests that allegedly resulted in the destruction of infrastructure and property.

The traditional leaders have also accused HRDC of being politically influenced and urged campaigners to engage the government through dialogue rather than street protests.

Civil Society Organisations Network Chairperson Edgar Phiri echoed the concerns, saying discussions with authorities remain the preferred route for resolving the long-standing concerns surrounding the road project.

However, in a statement released on Wednesday, HRDC Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa maintained that the demonstrations are a constitutional right and that the coalition has no intention of backing down.

Kaiyatsa said the planned citizen action is intended to demand accountability and press the government to urgently commence rehabilitation works on the strategic M1 Karonga-Chiweta Road.

He argued that residents have waited too long for the project to be implemented and that the poor state of the road continues to negatively affect transport, trade and access to essential services in the northern region.

“The demonstrations are meant to amplify the voices of citizens who have endured years of unfulfilled promises regarding this important road,” Kaiyatsa said.

The Karonga-Chiweta Road has for years been a source of frustration among residents and business operators, who say its deteriorating condition has increased transport costs and hampered economic activities.

The disagreement has now exposed divisions among local leaders and civil society groups on how best to pressure the government into delivering the long-awaited rehabilitation of one of the country’s key transport corridors.

Despite the resistance from traditional leaders, HRDC says preparations for the demonstrations are progressing and that the protests will proceed as scheduled on 1 July.