Malawi President, Peter Muthalika during a speech at the United Nations. Peter admitted sad with the vampire rumors that are rampant in his country. (Photo: Reuters)
Several United Nations staff (UN) were pulled out of Malawi after mass violence. The violence was sparked by rumors about people who turned into vampires or bloodsucking creatures.
Withdrawal of UN staff for safety. Over the past month, five people have died from mass violence. The five men were accused of being vampires.
The outbreak of vampire rumors can not be separated from the conditions of southern Africa that still practice a lot of magic.
The UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in a security report seen by Reuters confirmed the rise of vampire rumors as a trigger for mass violence in Malawi. "These districts are deeply affected by the story of blood sucking and the possibility of vampires," the UNDSS report says.
According to UNDSS reports, rumors of vampires have begun in neighboring Mozambique, although it is not clear the beginning of the story. "It recommends the temporary suspension of UN activities in the area until the situation is normalized," continued the UNDSS report, reported Tuesday (10/10/2017).
UN resident coordinator Florence Rolle said some staff had moved, while others lived in districts depending on where their operations were taking place.
"UNDSS continues to monitor this situation closely to ensure all affected UN staff return to the field as soon as possible," Rolle told Reuters.
Malawi president Arthur Peter Mutharika said the report was "sad and torturous". "This development is very concerned about the President and the entire government," Malawi president's office said in a statement.
