….Civil society groups urge patience and unity as they criticize HRDC for unfairly attacking a new government barely a month in office, questioning its motives and moral authority.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Concerned Citizens of Malawi and the Centre for Democracy Watch (CEWAT) have issued a joint statement sharply criticizing the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), accusing the organization of losing its moral compass and serving political interests instead of the Malawian people.
In their statement dated Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the two groups expressed disappointment over what they termed HRDC’s “politically motivated” and “unfair” criticism of the newly elected government.
They argued that the coalition’s recent remarks were disconnected from the current realities facing the nation and showed a lack of understanding of the challenges inherent in rebuilding the country.
The groups noted that the government has been in office for barely a month, making it unreasonable to expect it to resolve Malawi’s deep-rooted social and economic problems within such a short period.
The groupings emphasized that the nation’s challenges — including unemployment, inflation, and governance reforms — require time, patience, and unity of purpose from all sectors of society.
“This is a time for all Malawians to work together, not to rush into criticism,” the statement read. The organizations urged citizens to remember the difficult journey Malawi has endured over the years and to focus on constructive dialogue rather than negativity.
The Concerned Citizens and CEWAT also questioned HRDC’s consistency and sincerity, highlighting what they described as the group’s selective silence during previous administrations.
According to the statement, HRDC failed to speak out during a period when Malawians were facing significant hardships, only to reemerge now with renewed criticism of a government that is still finding its footing.
“It is surprising that HRDC, which remained silent when citizens were suffering, is suddenly active and vocal now,” the groups stated. “Their pattern of engagement raises doubts about their motives and whether they are driven by genuine advocacy or political opportunism.”
The statement further accused HRDC leaders of betraying public trust by accepting government appointments after mobilizing citizens for change.
The groups said such actions undermined the credibility of HRDC’s advocacy and compromised its independence as a civil society organization.
“While HRDC’s message may seem valid in principle, they lack the moral authority to lecture the nation on accountability,” the statement added. “These are the same individuals who promised a better Malawi after regime change, yet when things worsened, they chose silence.”
The Concerned Citizens and CEWAT have therefore called on Malawians to remain calm and patient as the new administration begins its work.
They underscored that constructive criticism is essential in a democracy, but it must be fair, balanced, and free from political manipulation.
They also appealed to all civil society organizations to maintain independence and impartiality, warning against being used by political players or external interests.
The groupings stressed that true advocacy must be rooted in honesty and consistency, not opportunism or selective outrage.
“Malawi’s democracy can only grow through integrity, collaboration, and truthfulness—not through politically aligned activism,” the statement concluded. “It is time for HRDC to rediscover its purpose, act responsibly, and stand with the people—not above them.”
The statement was jointly signed by representatives of the Concerned Citizens of Malawi and the Centre for Democracy Watch (CEWAT), signaling a broader call within civil society for a reset in the tone and approach of national advocacy efforts.
