Simple directory > Regional > Malawi

Country : Malawi Official name: Dziko la Malawi (Republic of Malawi) Head of State: President Bingu wa Mutharika (UDF) (sworn in 24 May 2004) Head of government: President Bingu wa Mutharika Ruling party: A coalition led by United Democratic Front (UDF) with the Republican Party (RP), Movement of Genuine Democratic Change (MGODE), National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) and 38 non-partisan parliamentary members (elected 20 May 2004) Area: 118,484 square km Population: 11.65 million (2004) Capital: Lilongwe Official language: English Currency: Kwacha (K) = 100 tambala Exchange rate: K108.30 per US$ (Nov 2004) GDP per capita: US$146 (2003) GDP real growth: 4.90% (2003) Labour force: 4.50 million (2003) Inflation: 10.20% (2003) Balance of trade: -US$70.00 million (2003) Foreign debt: US$2.90 billion (2003)

Historical profile

In the eighth century, the Bantu people of Nyasaland began trading with Portuguese merchants on the east African coast.

1891 The British declared the area a protectorate and in the wake of David Livingstone's explorations, an increasing number of Europeans went to Nyasaland, particularly missionaries. The settlers expropriated land and imposed taxes which led to ever growing numbers of Africans working in settler plantations or emigrating to the then Rhodesia or South Africa.

1950s Opposition to colonial rule, which had begun in the southern highlands, became more widespread. The Nyasaland African Congress was established to oppose the planned Central African Federation (CAF) with Northern and Southern Rhodesia, and the heavy-handed interference by white settlers in traditional agricultural methods.

1954 The Nyasaland African Congress grew rapidly upon the return from Britain of Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda; within a year the colonial authorities had jailed him and other leaders.

1961 The authorities released Dr Banda and invited him to London for a constitutional conference, at which Nyasaland was promised eventual independence regardless of constitutional developments in the rest of the CAF. Elections followed, which Dr Banda's Malawi Congress Party (MCP) won.

1963 The CAF was officially dissolved, paving the way for independence in Nyasaland a year later, with Dr Banda as Prime Minister.

1966 Nyasaland became a republic and was renamed Malawi; Dr Banda became president.

1971 Banda declared himself president for life.

1978 Dr Banda and the MCP won the first election since independence.

1992 A letter by Catholic bishops condemning the government sparked mass demonstrations against the Banda regime and all non-humanitarian aid to the country was cut off.

1993 A referendum was held to choose between a multi-party system or the existing one-party system; the multi-party option won comfortably and political parties began to develop.

1994 At the multi-party legislative and presidential elections, the United Democratic Front (UDF) beat the MCP and the newly established Alliance for Democracy (Aford). Bakili Muluzi, leader of the UDF, became president, replacing Dr Banda.

1995 Banda was put on trial for ordering the murder of three government ministers but was acquitted, later apologising for any suffering he may have 'unknowingly caused'.

1999 The UDF won the parliamentary elections and President Muluzi retained power after the presidential elections.

2000 Corruption scandals which began to threaten aid flow forced Muluzi to dismiss his government. A new government was appointed.

2002 Malawi's bishops condemned Muluzi's rule, warning that it was becoming a dictatorship. International aid was cut to Malawi due to a lack of reform and transparency, despite the onset of a famine.

2003 In April, President Maluzi named his successor and replaced his cabinet.

2004 The 20 May presidential elections were won by Bingu wa Mutharika of the United Democratic Front (UDF). The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) won the 20 May parliamentary elections.

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