LocationsUNDP, MPUC, and NICE Formalise National Ownership of Malawi’s Governance and Conflict Early Warning Platform
October 21, 2025
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Dr. Chika Charles Aniekwe, makes a symbolic presentation of the Masoathu Governance and Conflict Early Warning and Response Platform to the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) Commissioner Francis Mkandawire.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today in Lilongwe officially handed over the Election Situation Room (ESR)—now rebranded as the Masoathu Governance and Conflict Early Warning and Response Platform—to the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) and the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE).
The handover, formalised through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MPUC and NICE, marks a major milestone in strengthening Malawi’s national capacity for governance monitoring, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. UNDP will continue providing technical support during the transition phase to ensure sustainability and institutional ownership beyond the 2025 elections.
The transformation from a time-bound election-monitoring tool into a sustainable, nationally owned governance and conflict early-warning system represents a shift towards long-term peace infrastructure. As co-owners, MPUC and NICE will lead real-time monitoring, data collection, coordination, and national-level analysis to provide early warning and timely response to governance-related tensions, while promoting civic engagement and evidence-based policymaking.
To ensure the platform responds to community realities, it will monitor key governance indicators at the grassroots level, including bye-elections and peace-related issues emerging after the 2025 elections. The system’s flexible design will allow for new indicators and areas of focus as Malawi’s governance landscape evolves.
UNDP Deputy Representative Dr Chika Charles Aniekwe signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“This marks a milestone in strengthening Malawi’s institutional capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to governance challenges and conflict before they escalate,” said Dr. Chika Charles Aniekwe, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. “By transitioning operational ownership to national institutions, we are ensuring sustainability, local leadership, and long-term resilience for Malawi’s peace architecture.”
Under the agreement, MPUC and NICE will jointly manage all technical, analytical, and coordination aspects of the platform, which will be supported by UNDP’s capacity-building and advisory services. The platform integrates grassroots data from NICE’s nationwide volunteer network, with MPUC providing national analysis and policy oversight. A real-time digital dashboard will track governance and conflict-risk indicators across Malawi’s districts.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony, Mr. Ali Phiri, Director General of MPUC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment:
“We stand ready to ensure that the Masoathu Platform is fully integrated into our national conflict prevention infrastructure, and that it is used effectively and sustainably for the good of the country.”
Mr. Gray Kalindakafe, Executive Director of NICE, signs the MOU.
Mr. Gray Kalindakafe, Executive Director of NICE, described the MoU as “a covenant to protect peace, nurture unity, and elevate governance.”
“Through this MoU, NICE will collect data through its grassroots structures and share real-time analysis with MPUC. Together, we will ensure that no whisper of unrest becomes a scream; that no ember of injustice becomes a blaze; and that no citizen’s cry for dignity is lost in silence,” he said.
The Masoathu Platform evolved from the former ESR to reflect a year-round governance and peace monitoring mechanism, extending beyond elections to support social cohesion, inclusive governance, and conflict prevention. Its core functions include data collection, trend analysis, community-level alerts, coordinated responses, and national reporting to inform decision-making.
The initiative aligns with the Peace and Unity Act (2022), which designates MPUC as Malawi’s national coordinating body for peacebuilding, and contributes to the Malawi Vision 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening governance, institutional resilience, and social cohesion.
Implementation begins immediately, with training, infrastructure support, and phased handover activities planned over the coming months. UNDP will continue providing technical assistance to MPUC and NICE until full national ownership is achieved.
For Media Inquiries
UNDP Malawi Strategic Communications officer, Steve M’bayeni: Email: comms.support.mw@undp.org Mobile: +265993693152
NICE Trust Public Relations and Communications Officer, Grace Hara: Email:
ghara@nice.mw Mobile: 0888580859
About the Masoathu Platform
The Masoathu Governance and Conflict Early Warning and Early Response Platform is Malawi’s national mechanism for continuous monitoring of governance and conflict indicators. It integrates local-level reporting, district-level coordination, and national-level analysis to provide timely alerts and guide preventive responses nationwide.
About MPUC
The Malawi Peace and Unity Commission is the statutory body mandated under the Peace and Unity Act (2022) to coordinate, oversee, and lead national peacebuilding, dialogue, and conflict prevention efforts in Malawi.
About NICE
NICE Trust is an independent organization that is committed to promoting good governance and democracy through provision of high-quality civic education. NICE through its national wide structure contributes to citizen participation for increased transparency and accountability in Malawi.
About UNDP in Malawi
UNDP works alongside the Government of Malawi and partners to address development challenges, strengthen institutions, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the area of conflict prevention and governance, UNDP provides technical support, capacity-building, and operational tools to bolster national systems.