Malawi’s anti-corruption agency announced the arrest of the former army chief on Thursday, citing allegations that he was involved in property dealings linked to terrorism.
General Paul Valentino Phiri’s detention follows months-old unverified claims published by the Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ), which referenced purported U.S. intelligence suggesting that Malawian military personnel may have assisted Sudanese rebels in obtaining heavy weaponry.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) stated that the charges stem from accusations that Phiri facilitated illegal arms trafficking during June and July 2025.
The retired general faces five counts related to abuse of office and dealing in terrorist property, the bureau added, without providing further specifics.
Phiri, aged 54, led the Malawi Defence Force from July 2023 until October 2025, the month after former President Lazarus Chakwera was defeated in the general election.
His lawyer, Powell Nkutabasa, informed AFP that the primary accusations involve misuse of office, violations of procurement procedures, and handling of terrorist‑related property.
Nkutabasa said Phiri was instructed to report to the ACB today and was taken into custody upon arrival.
– War in Sudan –
In a July report, the PIJ claimed that the bureau had received a complaint alleging U.S. intelligence indicated senior Malawian military officials may have covertly channeled heavy weaponry to Sudan.
The report noted that multiple sources said the CIA had monitored an operation in which weapons were allegedly offloaded briefly from a cargo aircraft that landed at Lilongwe’s Kamuzu International Airport before being reloaded onto a flight bound for Sudan via Chad.
The purported arsenal included heavy military equipment and missiles, with documents allegedly identifying the Malawi Defence Force as the end‑user, according to PIJ.
PIJ added that it remains unclear who tipped off the ACB and that it has not examined the complaint or the alleged intelligence material.
The Malawi Defence Force acknowledged at the time that it was aware of the matter and had been approached by the ACB, but declined to comment further.
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been engaged in conflict with the country’s regular army since April 2023.
The army has accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the RSF with weapons and mercenaries routed through Chad, Libya, Kenya and Somalia, both by land and air—a claim the UAE denies.
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