Malawi has officially signed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons. Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda signed the agreement on July 16 during the 28th Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in Salima. According to the SADC Secretariat, the protocol removes travel and residential barriers for citizens across member states to promote regional economic cooperation.
Update: Following earlier coverage of the South Africa repatriations and SADC security meetings, Chaponda held bilateral talks with South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola to sign a new migration agreement. According to SABC News, the deal seeks to manage irregular migration between the two nations. Nyasa Times reports that civil society groups have criticized the discussions, questioning the focus on easing cross-border movement while Malawian migrants flee xenophobic violence in South Africa.
Update: Following earlier reports that the UK slashed aid to Malawi, the British government released specific figures in a new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office report. According to AllAfrica, UK official development assistance to Malawi will drop by 60 percent to 20 million pounds in 2026-2027, with plans to reduce funding by 90 percent by 2028-2029. The Scotland Malawi Partnership warned that these severe cuts will restrict basic healthcare and food security programs across the country.
Update: As part of Malawi's previously announced fourth polio vaccination phase, the World Health Organization reported on July 17 that the country is synchronizing its immunization campaigns with neighboring Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. According to the WHO Regional Office for Africa, this coordinated response aims to interrupt the transmission of the vaccine-derived poliovirus and protect children throughout the Southern African region.