By Smile Hamilton, Malawi
The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has begun its series of high-level engagements, with presidential candidates ahead of Malawi’s September 16 general elections, starting with former President Peter Mutharika.
PAC met Mutharika at his residence on Thursday as part of its efforts to promote peaceful and credible elections. The committee, which has long played a mediating role in Malawi’s political processes, aims to secure commitments from all major candidates to uphold peace, tolerance, and respect for democratic values during the campaign period and beyond.
Speaking to journalists, PAC Executive Director Robert Phiri said Mutharika was approached in his capacity as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate.
“This is part of our ongoing initiative to engage all presidential hopefuls. We are urging them to publicly commit to a peaceful electoral process and to denounce any form of violence or hate speech,” Phiri said.
He added that PAC believes national unity and political maturity are critical to ensuring a stable transition, particularly in light of the country’s tense political history.
The organization also plans to meet candidates from other political parties in the coming days, including those from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), UTM, and other emerging political movements.
“We are taking a nonpartisan approach. Our aim is to create a platform for dialogue, transparency, and mutual respect among political actors,” said Phiri.
PAC has urged political leaders to use their platforms responsibly, encouraging their supporters to remain calm and respect electoral laws and results as announced by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Details of Mutharika’s discussion with PAC have not been disclosed yet, but the committee says a comprehensive briefing will be shared after the conclusion of its meetings with all candidates.
This year’s general election is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with voters eager to address issues such as the economy, corruption, and youth unemployment.
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