Over the course of our two week stay, we have explored the challenges Malawi faces economically, environmentally and, just as importantly, politically. Since 1994, thirty years on from the dictatorship under President Banda, Malawi has been a multi-party democracy. And despite a growing trend for authoritarianism elsewhere in Africa, it is fighting hard to stay that way.
We hope you have enjoyed your tour of Malawi and can appreciate the effort this wonderful country is making to address the significant challenges that are only too familiar to us closer to home.
It's now time to return to Edinburgh but we look forward to a time when we can do all this for real, together again.
Farewell!
Aaron and Paul take us on a merry dance as they bid us farewell and thank us for our visit.
Democracy in Malawi
The government of Malawi has been a multi-party democracy since 1994 and is fighting hard to stay that way despite a growing trend for authoritarianism elsewhere in Africa
In February last year (2020), five of Malawi's constitutional court judges nullified the outcome of the 2019 election which controversially declared in favour of incumbent President Peter Mutharika. They also ruled that the electoral system should move to an outright majority system to reduce exposure to rigging. As a result, opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera secured the election with 59% of the vote and peace and political stability was restored to Malawi.
Malawi is only the second country in Africa to annul a presidential poll and the first to follow it with a win for the opposition leader. more >>
The Banda years
Prior to 1994, Malawi was ruled as a republic under Prime Minster, and then President, Hastings Banda. It was under Banda that Malawi achieved independence from the British in 1964 and he went on to rule Malawi for another 30 years in what has been characterised as a 'highly repressive autocracy'.
On the plus side, he generally supported women's rights, improved the country's infrastructure and maintained a good educational system relative to other African countries.
However, he presided over one of the most repressive regimes in Africa, an era that saw political opponents regularly tortured and murdered. Human rights groups estimate that at least 6,000 people were killed, tortured and jailed without trial.
He was also responsible for outlawing trousers, short skirts and visible cleavages for women and long hair, flared trousers and any sign of hippiness in general for men.
More information on the influence of Banda on Malawi can be found in person at the Banda Mausoleum or wikipedia.
