Political history of Malawi

History of Malawi

Part of a series on Politics of Malawi


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Part of a series on the
History of Malawi

Prehistory Maravi Empire Portuguese, Angoni, Ayao and Arab invasions British Central Africa Protectorate Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Nyasaland Protectorate Malawi
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The political history of Malawi spans over a century. Malawi, then Nyasaland, effectively became a one-party state in August 1961, when the country held its first general elections, and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) led by Hastings Kamuzu Banda became the dominant force. This status was formalized in 1966 when the constitution declared the MCP the sole legitimate political party. However, in 1993, the constitution was amended to introduce a multiparty system, paving the way for the emergence of new political parties. The United Democratic Front (UDF) quickly rose to prominence, and since then, other parties have also gained ground. The constitution guarantees all citizens aged 18 and above the right to participate in the political process, including the right to run for public office. Women and minority groups have made significant strides in Malawian politics, holding various positions in the National Assembly, cabinet, and judiciary, and contributing to the country's political landscape.

History

Early years (1890s-1964)

British colonial rule

Malawi was a British colony, known as Nyasaland, from 1891 to 1964. The colonial era saw the exploitation of Malawi's natural resources and the suppression of local cultures and traditions. The British exploited Malawi's natural resources, including tobacco, tea, and sugar, and imposed their own language, culture, and political systems.

Resistance and nationalism

Malawians resisted colonial rule, with various uprisings and protests. The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) was formed in 1959, led by Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, to fight for independence.

Occurrences in Nyasaland

Flag of Nyasaland (1925–1964)
The current flag of Malawi, the then Nyasaland, after independence
Harvesting coffee in Nyasaland
Nyasaland stamps in 1949
Stamp of Nyasaland 1913

Independence era (1964-1994)

Independence

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) was formed in 1959, led by Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, to fight for independence. Malawi gained independence on July 6, 1964, with Dr. Banda as its first president.

One-party state

In 1971, Banda declared Malawi a one-party state, making the MCP the only legal party. Opposition was suppressed, and dissent was not tolerated. The MCP became the dominant party, and Banda ruled with an iron fist, suppressing opposition and dissent.

Human rights abuses

Banda's regime was notorious for human rights abuses, including forced labor, political imprisonment, and torture.

Multiparty era (1994-2019)

Democratic reforms

In 1993, Malawi adopted a new constitution, allowing for multiparty democracy.

First multiparty elections

The 1994 elections saw the United Democratic Front (UDF), led by Bakili Muluzi, win a majority. The United Democratic Front (UDF), led by Bakili Muluzi, won the 1994 elections, ending the MCP's dominance.

Political instability

The 1990s and 2000s saw frequent changes in government, with allegations of corruption and political interference. Muluzi served two terms, followed by Bingu wa Mutharika (DPP) and Joyce Banda (People's Party).

Economic struggles

Malawi faced significant economic challenges, including poverty, inflation, and dependence on foreign aid.

Current era (2019-present)

Controversial elections

The 2019 elections saw Peter Mutharika (Democratic Progressive Party) win amidst allegations of fraud and irregularities.

Political tensions

The MCP, now led by Lazarus Chakwera, has become a major opposition force. The opposition MCP challenged the election results, leading to ongoing political tensions.

Economic struggles

Malawi remains one of the poor countries in the world, facing significant development challenges.

References

^ "The Creation of Tribalism in Southern Africa". publishing.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
^ "Malawi - Politics, Democracy, Constitution | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
"48. Malawi (1964-present)". uca.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
academic.oup.com https://academic.oup.com/afraf/article-abstract/97/387/231/16549. Retrieved 2024-06-02. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
Dzida, Rick (2023-11-27). "Opinion: Of family political parties in Malawi Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-06-02.

v t e Years in Malawi (1964–present)
Pre-1960s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

v t e History of Africa
Sovereign states	Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon The Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
States with limited recognition	Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Somaliland
Dependencies and other territories	Canary Islands / Ceuta / Melilla (Spain) Madeira (Portugal) Mayotte / Réunion (France) Saint Helena / Ascension Island / Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom) Western Sahara

Former British Empire and Current British Overseas Territories

Legend: Former territory; Current territory; *Current Commonwealth realm; Current member of the Commonwealth of Nations

Europe
Akrotiri and Dhekelia since 1960 (before as part of Cyprus) Corsica 1794–1796 Cyprus 1878–1960 Gibraltar since 1713 Heligoland 1807–1890 Ionian Islands 1809–1864 Ireland 1542–1800 (integrated into the UK) Free State 1921–1931 Malta Protectorate 1800–1813 Colony 1813–1964 Minorca 1708–1757, 1763–1782 and 1798–1802

Africa

Ascension Island since 1815
Basutoland (Lesotho) 1868–1966
Bechuanaland (Botswana) 1884–1966
Cameroons 1919–1961
Cape Colony 1795–1803
Cape of Good Hope 1806–1910
Central Africa 1891–1907
East Africa 1895–1920
Egypt 1882–1922
The Gambia 1816–1965
Gold Coast (Ghana) 1874–1957
Kenya 1920–1963
Lagos 1862–1906
Madeira 1807–1808
Mauritius 1810–1968
Natal 1856–1910
Niger Coast 1884–1900
Nigeria 1914–1960
Northern Nigeria 1900–1914
Northern Rhodesia 1924–1964
Nyasaland 1891–1964
Orange River 1900–1910
Saint Helena since 1658
Seychelles 1903–1976
Sierra Leone 1792–1961
Somaliland 1884–1960
South Africa 1910–1931
South-West Africa 1915–1931
Southern Rhodesia 1923–1965 and 1979–1980
Southern Nigeria 1900–1914
Swaziland 1893–1968
Sudan 1899–1956
Tanganyika 1922–1961
Transvaal 1900–1910
Tristan da Cunha since 1816
Uganda 1890–1962
Zanzibar 1890–1963
Zululand 1887–1897

Now Namibia
League of Nations mandate. British Cameroons is now part of Cameroon, while Tanganyika is part of Tanzania.
Self-governing Southern Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence in 1965 (as Rhodesia) and continued as an unrecognised state until the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement. After recognised independence in 1980, Zimbabwe was a member of the Commonwealth until it withdrew in 2003.
Now Zambia

Asia

Aden Colony 1839–1967
Afghanistan 1839–1842
- Protectorate 1879–1919
Bencoolen 1685–1824
Banka and Billiton 1812–1824
Bengal 1757–1947
Bhutan (protectorate) 1907–1949
Borneo 1874–1963
British Indian Ocean Territory since 1965 (before as part of Mauritius and Seychelles)
Burma 1824–1948
Brunei 1888–1984
Ceylon 1795–1948
Cyprus 1878–1960
Hong Kong 1841–1997
India 1858–1947
Java 1811–1816
Kuwait 1918–1961
Labuan 1848–1946
Malaya 1819–1826
- Federated States 1895–1946
- Unfederated States 1885–1946
- Union 1946–1948
- Federation 1948–1957
Maldives 1796–1965
Manila and Cavite 1762–1764
Mesopotamia 1920–1932
Muscat and Oman 1891–1971
North Borneo 1882–1963
- Crown Colony 1946–1963
Padang 1781–1784 and 1795–1819
Palestine 1923–1948
Penang 1786–1946
Pulo Condore 1702–1705
Sarawak 1841–1946
- Crown Colony 1946–1963
Singapore 1946–1963
South Vietnam 1945–1946
Straits Settlements 1826–1946
Transjordan 1921–1946
Trucial States 1892–1971
Weihai 1898–1930

Now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
League of Nations mandate. Iraq's mandate was not enacted and replaced by the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty
Legitimacy of territorial establishment disputed

North America

Anguilla since 1650
*Antigua 1632–1860
*Antigua and Barbuda 1860–1981
*Bahamas 1670–1973
Barbados 1624–1966
Bay Islands 1643–1860
*Belize 1871–1981
Bermuda since 1619
British Arctic Territories 16th c.–1880
British Columbia 1858–1866
- 1866–1871
Cape Breton Island 1754–1820
Dominica 1763–1978
East Florida 1763–1783
*Grenada 1762–1974
*Canada
- Lower 1791–1841
- Upper 1791–1841
- Province 1841–1867
- Dominion 1867–1931
Carolina 1663–1712
Cayman Islands since 1670
Columbia District/Oregon Country 1818–1846
Connecticut 1636–1776
Delaware 1701–1776
East Jersey 1674–1702
Georgia 1733–1776
*Jamaica 1655–1962
Leeward Islands 1671–1816, 1833–1960
MassachusettsBay 1629–1691
- Province, 1691–1776
Maryland 1632–1776
Montserrat since 1632
Mosquito Coast 1655–1860
Nevis 1628–1983
New Albion 1579
New Brunswick 1784–1867
New England 1686–1689
New Hampshire 1680–1776
New Haven 1637–1662
New Jersey 1665–1674 and 1702–1776
New York 1664–1776
Newfoundland 1907–1949
Newfoundland and Labrador 1583–1907
North Carolina 1712–1776
North-Western Territory 1859–1870
Nova Scotia 1713–1867
Paulet affair 1843
Prince Edward Island 1763–1873
Pennsylvania 1681–1776
Plymouth 1620–1691
Quebec 1763–1791* Queen Charlotte Islands 1853–1863
Rhode Island 1636–1776
Rupert's Land 1670–1870
Saint Croix 1625–1650
Saint Kitts 1623–1983
*Saint Kitts and Nevis 1882–1983
*Saint Lucia 1605–1979
*Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1627–1979
Saybrook 1635–1644
South Carolina 1712–1776
Stickeen 1862–1863
Trinidad and Tobago 1889–1962
Turks and Caicos Islands since 1799
Vancouver Island 1849–1866
Virgin Islands since 1666
Virginia 1607–1776
West Florida 1763–1783
West Indies Federation 1958–1962
- Associated States 1967–1983
West Jersey 1674–1702
Windward Islands 1833–1960

Oceania

18th and 19th centuries

20th century

New South Wales 1788–1901
Van Diemen's Land/Tasmania 1803–1901
Auckland Islands 1807–1863
New Hebrides 1824–1980
Queensland 1824–1901
Swan River/Western Australia 1829–1901
South Australia 1836–1901
Pitcairn Islands since 1838
New Zealand 1841–1907
North Australia 1846–1847
Victoria 1851–1901
Fiji 1874–1970
Western Pacific Territories 1877–1976
Papua 1884–1902
Rarotonga/Cook Islands 1888–1901
Union Islands 1889–1948
Gilbert and Ellice Islands 1892–1979
*Solomon Islands 1893–1978

Tonga 1900–1970
Niue 1900–1974
*Australia 1901–1942
*New Zealand 1907–1947
Samoa 1914–1962
Nauru 1919–1942 and 1945–1968

Now part of the Realm of New Zealand
Now Vanuatu
Now Kiribati and *Tuvalu

South America
Providence Island 1631–1641 Willoughbyland 1651–1667 Saint Andrew and Providence Islands 1670–1688 Guiana 1831–1966 Falkland Islands since 1833 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands since 1908
Now a department of Colombia Occupied by Argentina during the Falklands War of April–June 1982.

Antarctica and the South Atlantic
Saint Helena since 1658 Ascension Island since 1815 Tristan da Cunha since 1816 Falkland Islands since 1833 Australian Antarctic Territory (transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia) 1841–1933 Ross Dependency (transferred to the Realm of New Zealand) 1841–1947 British Antarctic Territory since 1908 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands since 1908
Since 2009 part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; Ascension Island (1922–) and Tristan da Cunha (1938–) were previously dependencies of Saint Helena. Claimed in 1908; territory formed 1962; overlaps portions of Argentine and Chilean claims, borders not enforced but claim not renounced under the Antarctic Treaty. Claimed in 1908; territory formed 1985

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