Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo, presided over the launch of the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission's Communication Strategic Plan and Malawi Peace and Unity Commission Strategic Plan on Thursday in Lilongwe.
In her remarks, Chitsulo stated that the two documents aim to pursue the Commission's vision of enduring peace and unity for robust political stability and socio-economic prosperity for all.
"As a Commission, we must present ourselves to Malawians as credible, independent, and non-partisan in fulfilling our mandate. This requires effective communication.
We also need to proactively address tensions to prevent violence and collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen peacebuilding efforts. The implementation of our Communication Strategy will guide how we communicate internally and externally to achieve these goals," she added.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission, Bishop Mary Nkosi, highlighted that the two strategic documents launched are products of extensive consultations with stakeholders and Malawians, including state and non-state actors, media practitioners, development partners, academia, and community leaders.
She emphasised that the documents represent the views of Malawians on medium-term goals and strategies for the Commission, as well as its communication priorities to support the realisation of its goals.
"I am confident that the implementation of the two strategic documents will strengthen the Commission’s performance, enhance its ability to meet stakeholder expectations, and fulfil its mandate," she added.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Shadrack Omol, reiterated the UN's commitment to supporting the Malawi Government in operationalising the Malawi Peace Commission (MPUC).
"I would like to emphasise that our commitment as the UN to preventing conflict and building peace in Malawi goes beyond the Peace Commission, although it forms a major part of our support.
For instance, the UNDP’s current Country Programme Document 2024–2029, which is UNDP’s Strategic Plan for the next four years, affirms our commitment to strengthening the Malawi peacebuilding ecosystem," he added.
The launch of these strategic documents is a vital step toward fostering lasting peace and unity in Malawi. With support from the government, development partners, and the UN, the Commission is well-equipped to implement its plans. This collective effort highlights a shared commitment to building a stable and prosperous nation.