36 NGOs challenge deregistration by Malawi regulator
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Nyasa Times
Thirty-six Malawian NGOs are challenging their deregistration by the Non-Governmental Organisations Regulatory Authority, which they accuse of exceeding its powers. The coalition wants sanctions to reflect the seriousness of breaches and favour warnings or corrective measures, according to Nyasa Times.
A coalition of civil society organisations is challenging the deregistration of 36 NGOs by the Non-Governmental Organisations Regulatory Authority (NGORA), Malawi's regulator of non-governmental organisations. The groups, including the National Advocacy Platform, Youth and Society, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace and the NGO Gender Coordination Network, are calling for the decisions to be annulled and say the alleged breaches do not automatically warrant deregistration, according to Nyasa Times.
The coalition is also asking NGORA to demonstrate that the 2024 regulations on NGOs' reporting obligations were duly published in the Official Gazette and came into force in accordance with the law. It is also challenging the composition of the regulator's board, noting the apparent absence of a representative appointed by the Malawi Law Society, according to Nyasa Times.
The organisations argue that the authorities should consider the seriousness, duration and circumstances of each breach and, before deregistration, favour warnings, corrective measures and opportunities for compliance, according to their joint statement. They are asking NGORA to clarify the legal basis for its decisions and adopt a more transparent oversight framework.
The challenge comes amid recent disputes involving Malawian public bodies, including the suspension of the boss of Umodzi Holdings challenged on 14 October 2026 and a dispute that led to the Malawian regulator being ordered to pay 691.7 million kwachas to a former executive, on 19 October 2026.
