The United States Government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Independent Complaints Commission (ICC), launched an initiative that will enable the Commission to conduct complex investigations aimed at increasing public trust in the Malawi Police Service.

Through the new project, “Strengthening the Independent Complaints Commission (ICC),” officially launched on 2nd November 2022, the United States Government will provide technical and financial support of US$700,000 to strengthen the capacity of the ICC as a valuable oversight body in supporting greater levels of professionalism and accountability in the Malawi Police Service (MPS).

Presiding over the ceremony was The Minister of Homeland Security, Hon. Jean Sendeza MP, who stated, “Your Excellency [U.S Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi], it is encouraging on the part of Government to witness the fact that the US Government and UNDP have decided to join Government’s effort in supporting the ICC through the launch of this project. We welcome this project and we wish the ICC and all the partner and beneficiary institutions under this project like the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Human Rights Commission all the success,”

Speaking at the launch, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, H.E. David Young remarked, “If the public sees that the very people on the front line of the criminal justice sector responsible for enforcing the law are also breaking it, it reduces confidence in one of the most important components of a peaceful and democratic society.”

“It is our hope that this project will provide the ICC the equipment and technical support it needs to do even more to investigate and bring closure to cases like the Msundwe case,” he added.

The Malawi Independent Complaints Commission was established in 2020, under Section 128 of the 2010 Police Act, to receive and investigate complaints by the public against police officers and the Police Service and ensure the overall accountability of the service. The Commission rolled out its operations on the 1st July, 2021 and has its Secretariat in Lilongwe.

The 18-month project will provide support in ensuring that the ICC is able to securely collect and store evidence; conduct investigations based on strong evidence and prepare winning substantive cases that can be taken up for prosecution; and increase public awareness of the Commission’s role in handling citizenry’s grievances of unethical behaviours that infringe on their rights as enshrined in the Malawi Constitution.

UNDP Malawi Portfolio Manager for Governance, Julie van Dassen said, “Globally, UNDP is committed to strengthening the rule of law and promoting and protecting human rights as core requirements for human development.” She added, “This project presents a unique opportunity to promote the rule of law, empower people, and create an enabling environment for a just and safe society for the people of Malawi.”

As key development partners, the United States and UNDP continue to work alongside the Government of Malawi and other key stakeholders to ensure that the oversight capacity of key rule of law institutions in the country is increased. The new initiative directly responds to the United States’ strategic objective of supporting Malawi’s efforts to address human rights violations committed by law enforcement personnel, ensuring transparent investigations and appropriate disciplinary actions. And it furthers UNDP’s strategic goal to ensure that the functions and capacity of rule of law institutions are enabled to deliver accountable, effective, and equitable justice services.

The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Malawi Police Service, Malawi Human Rights Commission, National Initiative for Civic Education, CSOs and other stakeholders at the national level, with the ICC as the lead implementing partner.

The Minister of Homeland Security, Hon. Jean Sendeza MP, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, H.E. David Young, UNDP Malawi Portfolio Manager for Governance, Julie van Dassen and Independent Complaints Commissioner Mr. Christopher Tukula presided over the official launch, which was attended by other high-level officials.