-
Nyasaland African Congress
Despite strong opposition from the Nyasaland African Congress and white liberal activists, Britain combines Nyasaland with the Federation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively). -
Congress Banned
The Nyasaland African Congress was banned following violent clashes with nationalists and colonial authorities; the Malawi Congress Party was founded. -
Voting
Elections held for a new Legislative Assembly. Banda's Malawi Congress Party wins 94% of the vote -
New Prime Minister
Territory is granted self-government as Nyasaland and Banda is appointed prime minister. -
Independence
Nyasaland declares independence as Malawi. -
President
Banda becomes president of the Republic of Malawi. The constitution establishes a one-party state. Opposition movements are suppressed and their leaders are detained. Foreign governments and organisations raise concerns about human rights. -
Banda
First elections since independence. All potential candidates must belong to the Malawi Congress Party and be approved by Banda. He excludes many of them by submitting them to an English test. -
Murder
Several ministers and politicians are killed or charged with treason. Banda reshuffles his ministers regularly, preventing the emergence of a political rival. -
Murder pt. 2
In Malawi 4 dissident politicians were murdered. Dr. Attati Mpakati was found murdered in central Harare, Zimbabwe while on a private visit. Dick Matenje, the Secretary-General of MCP and two other senior politicians died in a mysterious car accident, their deaths coming at a time when they were being seen as possible successors to Banda. -
Banda is sick
President Banda becomes seriously ill.
Voters in a referendum reject the one-party state, paving the way for members of parties other than the Malawi Congress Party to hold office. -
bye Banda
Presidential and municipal elections: Bakili Muluzi, leader of the United Democratic Front, is elected president. He immediately frees political prisoners and re-establishes freedom of speech.
Banda announces his retirement from politics. -
Jail time
In Malawi police arrested Gwanda Chakuamba, the main opposition leader, accusing him of impersonating President Bakili Muluzi by signing the president's name to a controversial letter on statehouse stationery. The arrest came amid a government crackdown on opponents of a constitutional amendment that would allow Muluzi to run for a third term when his second five-year term expires in 2004. Chakuamba was released the same day. -
drought
Drought causes crops to fail across southern Africa. Government is accused of worsening crisis through mismanagement and corruption, including selling off national grain reserves before drought struck -
DPP
President Mutharika resigns from the UDF over what he says is its hostility to his anti-corruption campaign. He forms the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). -
Mutharika
President Mutharika survives an impeachment motion backed by the UDF. The speaker of parliament dies after collapsing during angry exchanges over the motion. -
Zimbabwe
Malawi begins exporting 400,000 tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe, after producing a surplus in 2006. -
Anti-Homosexuality
A gay couple is convicted and jailed for breaching anti-homosexuality laws, sparking international condemnation. The two men are given a presidential pardon and released. -
Most Recent
The UN children's agency UNICEF opens the world's only air corridor reserved for humanitarian drones in Malawi. It will allow small unmanned aircraft to make deliveries of medical supplies.