In a significant achievement for Malawi, the World Justice Project (WJP) has ranked the country as the second-best performer in upholding the rule of law and the best in fundamental rights among low-income nations globally. The findings were presented earlier today in Lilongwe by Dr. Srirak Plipat, WJP’s regional director for Asia Pacific.
Dr. Plipat emphasized the importance of the rule of law, stating it is fundamental for social and economic development. He noted that this recognition bolsters the efforts of the Malawian government in its commitment to uphold justice and human rights.
However, while celebrating this achievement, Dr. Plipat pointed out that Malawi has areas requiring attention, specifically mentioning constraints on government powers, criminal justice, and regulatory enforcement as areas of concern in the assessment.
In response to the findings, Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo acknowledged the challenges and expressed his commitment to enhancing speedy justice delivery, handling complaints effectively, and ensuring checks on government authority.
Various stakeholders, including the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the Legal Aid Bureau, the Malawi Human Rights Commission, the Law Commission, and the Judiciary, have also expressed their rule of law priorities. They are actively collaborating to identify the necessary support to advance initiatives that further the rule of law in Malawi.
Reflecting on these developments, President Lazarus Chakwera’s focus on the rule of law during his 2019-2020 campaign has been reaffirmed. Under his Hi5 agenda, Chakwera committed to servant leadership, unity among Malawians, collective prosperity, an end to corruption, and the promotion of the rule of law as a vital pillar of his democratic philosophy.
This recognition from the WJP affirms that President Chakwera has made substantial strides in promoting the rule of law in Malawi, aligning with his campaign promises and further enhancing the country’s reputation on the international stage.
