Vol 55 No 12 | MALAWI Mutharika, the sequel 13th June 2014 Many fear that Peter Mutharika will revert to his brother’s divisive policies but he is under pressure to be more conciliatory All eyes have turned to President Arthur Peter Mutharika's plans, policies and appointments now that the turbulent post-election period is over. As the dust settles, few doubt that...
Vol 55 No 11 | MALAWI Poll ends in farce 30th May 2014 Banda’s attempt to cancel the election produced political turmoil and brought the country to a standstill President Joyce Banda pressed the self-destruct button on her public image at home and in the wider world when she tried to annul the 20 May presidential election....
Vol 55 No 10 | MALAWI Clash of the dynasties 14th May 2014 In general elections that promise to be the closest ever, the President is battling candidates who seek to return their families to power Seven-and-a-half million Malawians go to the polls on 20 May for only the fourth time since multi-party democracy began in 1994 and it promises to be the closest...
Vol 55 No 10 | MALAWI Election officials under fire 16th May 2014 The Malawi Electoral Commission, which is headed by Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Maxon Mbendera, has been under constant attack – despite the fact that it includes commissioners...
Vol 55 No 7 | MALAWI In cash we trust 4th April 2014 President Joyce Banda’s distribution of free grain continues a tradition of opaque election funding The sight of President Joyce Banda handing out large bags of free maize with her name boldly printed on them in red is common as the election campaign...
Vol 55 No 7 | MALAWI Bandas, Bingu and Goldfinger 4th April 2014 Malawi's first President, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, ruled Malawi with an iron rod for 31 years. He left an estate worth an estimated US$50 million including the country's tallest...
Vol 55 No 3 | MALAWI Scandals to dominate polls 7th February 2014 The trial of those accused of stealing state funds could hurt the President in the elections. Insiders accuse Britain of playing politics with aid Anxiety is growing in presidential circles about the trial of prominent politicians and civil servants in the ‘Cashgate’ scandal over the theft of some US$100 million in government...
Vol 55 No 3 | MALAWI Banda and the jets 7th February 2014 Beleaguered President Joyce Banda is suffering substantial political damage from what many Malawians are calling hypocrisy after she was found to be using the presidential private jet...
Vol 54 No 24 | MALAWI Political class in turmoil 20th November 2013 The Cashgate scandal is roping in most politicians in a storm of corruption so severe that donors have halted aid payments The reputations of almost all members of the political establishment – with the possible exception of the opposition United Democratic Front – have been severely battered by the...
Vol 54 No 21 | MALAWI Shooting triggers reshuffle 17th October 2013 The spreading repercussions of September’s gun attack on a senior official have led the President to sack the whole cabinet. Donors are angry When three gunmen shot down Finance Ministry Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo outside his home in Area 43 in Lilongwe on 13 September, officials initially blamed criminals who wanted...