Interfaith Forum for Peace, Justice and Dialogue (IFPJD) has raised concern over hunger, rising political violence and potential threats to the September 16 2025 General Elections credibility.
In a statement issued after their executive meeting on Friday, the forum has called for immediate action.
“The nation is in a state of hunger. This demands immediate concrete responses,” reads the statement signed by IFPJD general secretary Bishop Mchenga and deputy chairperson Matiya Nkhoma.
IFPJD is a group of different faith leaders formed in 2019 to promotes peace, justice and dialogue.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts in addressing food insecurity, they said responses must be enhanced as the country faces another unproductive agricultural season.
They also expressed concerns over Agricultural Inputs Programme implementation.
“This should be carried out without favouring any constituencies, districts, regions, tribes or political adherents as is being reported by some quarters,” reads the statement in part.
The leaders noted that last year had high levels of political intolerance and politically motivated violence.
They condemned inflammatory language from political leaders, barring certain political meetings in perceived strongholds and obstruction of peaceful demonstrations by “panga-wielding pro-party zealots.”
The statement also highlighted irregularities in voter registration processes, including allegations of underage registrations, deliberate under-registration in some districts and machinery deficiencies.
They further criticised government’s handling of the Chikangawa aircraft accident that claimed the life of vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others.
While they commended the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry, they disagreed with its timing, composition and transparency.
In his reaction, Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu yesterday blamed the opposition for political violence.
“DPP legislators lead instigating violence and murder of those holding opposing political views, particularly Malawi Congress Party. This must stop,” he said.
On the plane crash report, Kunkuyu suggested that those with more information need to follow proper procedures rather than making public utterances, describing the accident as a sensitive matter.
