Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito has said his ministry is committed to ensuring that Malawi adopts a new and updated law governing refugees and displaced persons fleeing conflict and other crises.
Mukhito made the remarks in Lilongwe during a consultative meeting where stakeholders were invited to submit views on the Refugees Act of 1989, which the Special Law Commission has been reviewing since 2024.
The meeting brought together representatives from civil society organisations, the judiciary, academic institutions, traditional leaders and other key actors involved in refugee protection and governance.
The Minister noted that circumstances surrounding displacement and forced migration have significantly changed since the law was enacted more than three decades ago.
He said the existing legislation no longer adequately responds to current realities, making it necessary to develop a modern legal framework aligned with present-day challenges and international standards.
Mukhito emphasised that the proposed reforms aim to improve protection, coordination and management of refugee affairs in Malawi.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Special Law Commission, Justice Professor Redson Kapindu, said the
