As Malawi approaches its upcoming elections, outgoing Norwegian Ambassador, Ingrid Marie Mikelsen, has called for peaceful and credible polls.

"We urge all Malawians to exercise their right to vote and to do so in a peaceful manner," she said in an interview with reporters in Lilongwe on Thursday.

The ambassador emphasized the importance of safeguarding the country's values and promoting development, warning that violence can erode the gains made over the last 61 years.

"Malawi may be poor in economic terms, but the value that Malawi has in terms of peace is invaluable. You can't trade it against money; you only realize it when you have lost it, and then you take so much time to rebuild," she said.

Ambassador Mikelsen also expressed concern about corruption in Malawi, describing it as a "cancer" that hinders development. 

"Norway has invested heavily in Malawi, with over $1 billion in development projects, and corruption undermines these efforts," she said. "All we want to see from our efforts is Malawi to develop, but we see that much due to corruption, people are not getting a better life. And for me, that is alarming."

On women's empowerment, Ambassador Mikelsen encouraged men to support women and lift them up, noting that promoting women's participation in leadership positions is essential for the country's development. 

"I have taken a particular interest in the women this time around... I encourage all men who are also a bit feminist to lift up those strong women because it's not a zero-sum game; it's a game where everyone wins, and you lose talent if you exclude women," she said.

The ambassador's call for peaceful elections and her concerns about corruption come as she prepares to leave Malawi at the end of the year.

Reflecting on her time in Malawi, she said, "I have been in the country now, close to three years, and I was also here in Malawi 20 years ago, as a rather young professional... I have seen much progress... But there is something that is hindering development, and that is the corruption that is still rampant and that is very concerning."

Despite the challenges, Ambassador Mikelsen expressed hope for Malawi's future. 

"I love this nation so much, and I know so many of us love it; you have the most beautiful country in the world, and you are the loveliest people, but please safeguard the values that you have," she said.

The ambassador's remarks came on the sidelines of the launch of the Malawi-Norway Alumni Network (AluMaNo), which aims to reconnect Malawians who have studied or worked in Norway and facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences, and expertise between the two nations.

Charles Jumbe, a retired lecturer at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and one of the founding members of AluMaNo, said the network would provide a platform for Malawians to share their experiences and knowledge gained from living and studying in Norway. 

"We can learn from Norway's unique culture and values, and their success story can serve as an inspiration for Malawi," he said.

The network, which currently has over 28 members, is expected to have an impact on various sectors in Malawi, including technology, resource exploitation, and education.

Jumbe expressed hope that AluMaNo would help Malawi tap into Norway's expertise and experiences, promoting development and growth in the country.

As the network grows and develops, Jumbe said, it is expected to make a lasting impact on Malawi's development trajectory. 

"We may not know what we have. We may have gas... We need this type of network so that we can actually exploit the expertise from Norway and help us to develop our economy," he said.