| Country: | Malawi |
| Details of Formation: | The Youth Cadets were formed in 2011 by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). |
| Details of Termination: | Between April 7, 2012, and May 31, 2014, the group was not a PGM since Joyce Hilde Banda from the People’s Party was president during this period. The Youth Cadets became pro-government again with Peter Mutharika from the Democratic Progressive Party elected president in May 2014. In June 2020, Lazarus Chakwera from the Malawi Congress Party replaced Mutharika as President of Malawi. The termination date reflects the change in government. After that, the Youth Cadets have remained active for the opposition. |
| Purpose: | The Youth Cadets’ main purpose was to intimidate and act against anti-government protesters as well as critical journalists, which they did during press rallies and after calls from the president. They intimidated voters and supporters of opposition parties and perpetrated violence against opposition party members. |
| Organisation: | The Youth Cadets were the youth wing of the ruling DPP party and were modeled on the Young Pioneers. |
| Weapons and Training: | The Youth Cadets used firebombs and petrol bombs. They were armed with pangas, machetes, sticks and knives and used stones to throw them on opponents. |
| Size: | -- |
| Reason for Membership: | It is reported that members of the group attended a meeting with President Peter Mutharika in 2018 where they received cash money. It is suspected that the money should persuade them to vote for the incumbent president in the election that followed. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The Youth Cadets engaged in intimidation of and threats against journalists. After calls from President Mutharika for violent actions against dissidents, they committed murders and used firebombs, beatings, and harassment to fulfil their President’s wish. They became notorious for beating and torching the houses of DPP opponents. The group frequently attacked supporters and members of opposition parties. Those were beaten up, thrown at with stones and forced to undress. The group targeted protestors with some being abducted. The police was reported to tolerate and at times even support the group’s actions. |
| Other Information: | The youth cadets are also called DPP cadets. Some of the group’s members were recruited as police officers. |
| References: | Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |