At the top of the CSOs’ demands is strict enforcement of procurement and public finance laws, full transparency in the implementation of austerity measures, and swift prosecution of high-profile corruption cases, regardless of political rank or party affiliation. They say Malawi can no longer afford reforms that exist only in speeches and policy documents. “We are no longer interested in rhetoric.
The government must move from promises to measurable action,” said Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) executive director Willy Kambwandira. CSOs argue that Malawi’s economic collapse did not happen by accident but was driven by weak governance, selective justice, and entrenched impunity, particularly during the five-year rule of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Kambwandira stressed that Malawians expect to see real consequences for abuse of office and misuse of public funds, warning that selective justice would amount to “another year of impunity disguised as reform.” “We expect progress and swift prosecution of all high-profile corruption cases involving both current and former senior government officials,” he said.
HRDC national chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said persistent governance failures have steadily eroded public trust and weakened confidence in state institutions. “For years, Malawi has struggled with transparency in procurement, enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and accountability in service delivery. These failures have undermined public trust and must be addressed decisively,” Kaiyatsa said.
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He urged the government to empower oversight institutions to operate independently and without political interference, warning that reform without institutional independence would collapse. Cama executive director John Kapito said Malawians—especially the poor—have paid the price for policies designed for political survival rather than economic sustainability. “The government must abandon populist approaches that offer headlines but no lasting solutions,” Kapito warned.
“Malawi has long faced governance challenges—corruption, weak rule of law, and human rights violations,” Mwakasungula said. “This government must demonstrate transparency in decision-making, apply the law fairly, protect citizens’ rights, and enable public participation in governance.”
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