FDRD slams candidates for ignoring peace, human rights in campaign trails, manifestos

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-As Malawi moves closer to the highly anticipated general elections slated for 16 September 2025, the Forum for Democracy and Rights Defenders (FDRD) has raised serious concerns over the lack of commitment by political parties to integrate issues of global peace and human rights into their election manifestos.

According to FDRD while political parties have centered their campaign promises around economic growth, infrastructure, agriculture and job creation none of the presidential aspirants have put forward a comprehensive foreign policy agenda that speaks to Malawi’s role in addressing international conflicts and advancing human rights.

FDRD Vice Chairperson, Asabuni Phiri told The Maravi Post that the organization is disturbed by the silence of political leaders on matters of global justice especially at a time when the world is facing ongoing wars and humanitarian crises.

He cited Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine as examples of regions where thousands of innocent civilians continue to lose their lives daily.

Phiri stressed that Malawi despite being a relatively small nation, cannot afford to ignore these global realities.

“It is shocking that in all the manifestos launched so far not a single candidate has made a clear policy statement on how Malawi can contribute towards international peacebuilding and the defense of human rights,” he said.

He added that as a member of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) Malawi has an obligation to show moral leadership by aligning its foreign policy with principles that safeguard the dignity of humanity.

FDRD believes that political manifestos should not only be domestically oriented but must also reflect Malawi’s position in the global community.

Malawi has played an important role in regional peace processes including sending troops under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) standby force to conflict zones.

However in recent years its foreign policy has been largely passive focusing more on bilateral trade and aid relations rather than peace and security.

Phiri also pointed out that the silence of political leaders on global human rights is worrying given the increasing reports of refugee crises, ethnic violence and state oppression in parts of Africa.

He argued that Malawi cannot claim to champion democracy at home while remaining indifferent to human suffering abroad.

FDRD has since called upon presidential aspirants to revisit their manifestos before the election date and include policy frameworks that commit Malawi to peace diplomacy, humanitarian support and active participation in international dialogue.

The forum believes that such commitments would not only elevate Malawi’s international profile but also strengthen its moral authority as a democratic state.