The United Nations in Malawi has warned that the country's economic challenges pose a threat to its peace and stability. According to UN Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, indicators such as political tensions, food insecurity, a difficult macro-economic situation, and high unemployment have the potential to trigger violence. She made these remarks in Mzuzu during the commemoration of the International Day of Peace. Adda-Dontoh emphasized that Malawians should not take the country's peace for granted.
Adda-Dontoh urged the government to leverage the youth population, which is in the majority, to promote peace. She noted that the youth are creative but are sitting on the fence and could be easily manipulated. The UN Resident Coordinator stressed the importance of investing in human capital development and strong, credible institutions. She added that violence and mob justice are sometimes a result of a loss of trust in public institutions.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Principal Secretary Moses Chimphepo acknowledged that there are pockets of violence perpetrated by some youths. However, he noted elements of change, citing the September 16, 2025 General Election, which he described as peaceful. Chimphepo also mentioned the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as another tool the government is using for peace promotion.
The Reformed K5 billion CDF is being used to share development resources among various groups of people, including loans for women and the youth. According to Chimphepo, the government wants to guard the country's peace jealously to spur development. He emphasized the need to inculcate a culture of peace among the youth, as they can also be used to create instability.
National Youth Council of Malawi programme officer for youth and civic engagement Solomon Mlinda acknowledged that it is a difficult situation to preserve peace amid socio-economic challenges. However, he said they have been deliberately empowering the youth economically. Mlinda's remarks come as the country continues to face economic challenges.
During the celebrations, various stakeholders, including political parties, religious and traditional leaders, the media, and security agencies, made declarations to promote peaceful coexistence in the country. The UN Day of Peace, established in 1981, falls on September 21 to strengthen peace, non-violence, and a 24-hour global ceasefire.
This year's International Day of Peace was held under the theme 'Empowering youth as agents of change, unity, and socio-economic development'. The theme focuses on the role of youth in promoting peace and development. Key stakeholders are emphasizing the need for the government and other actors to invest in initiatives that promote peace and stability in Malawi.
Key points
- The UN has warned that economic challenges in Malawi may trigger instability if not addressed.
- The government is using the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to promote peace through development initiatives.
- Stakeholders are emphasizing the need to empower the youth economically and invest in human capital development to promote peace and stability.
