About CDEDI
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI) is a duly registered Malawian Civil Society Organization (CSO) and a member of the Council of Non-governmental Organizations in Malawi (CONGOMA.
CDEDI aims to empower Malawian Citizens through human rights awareness, protection, and transitional justice to ensure that the country remains peaceful and that the citizens enjoy peaceful co-existence regardless of their political, religious affiliations, and socio-economic environment.
CDEDI Background
CDEDI was established in November 2019 to offer an alternative and neutral platform for
checks and balances in the civil society space, which was perceived to be pro-opposition..
Experience has shown that for the governing elite to deliver what they promised in their campaign manifesto, there is need for a vibrant civil society to keep the government on its toes all the time; this therefore, puts CDEDI as the only hope for Malawi to provide the much needed checks and balances against any regime that takes over power.
CDEDI made its first public appearance through a press briefing that was held on December 13, 2019 at Bridgeview Hotel in Lilongwe after an analysis of the political situation on the ground then. This was the time Malawi experienced unprecedented political impasse ever since her independence in 1964, which emanated from the disputed May 21, 2019 Presidential Elections. The matter was in the hands of the Constitutional Court (CornCourt) sitting in
CDEDI made its position clear that Malawi was facing a political problem which required a political solution. An appeal was made to leaders of the three major political parties namely; Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, UTM President Dr. Saulosi Chilima and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika to humble themselves and rise above petty partisan interests to resolve their differences for the sake of peace and national unity. CDEDI asked the three leaders to unite Malawians by addressing a National Unity Mass Rally (NUMR) with one voice of peace, unity and tolerance despite their different political ideologies.
CDEDI launched a campaign known as 'Accept and Move on Malawi" during a press briefing that was held at the same Bridgeview Hotel on December 23,2019. This time, CDEDI's message centered on peace building and reconciliation since it was during the festive season. The institution urged Dr. Chakwera, Dr. Chilima and Prof. Mutharika whom CDEDI believed held the key to the direction of the country after the Concourt ruling, to bury their hatchets and extend seasonal greetings to one another as a sign of forgiveness and
Furthermore, CDEDI wrote personalized letters to the three political leaders regarding its position on the political situation in the country then.
Read more on activities conducted by CDEDI