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DEMOCRACY
Malawi commemorates ten years of multiparty democracy
The quest for freedom has been a long battle in Malawi’s political history. Malawians fought against colonialism and achieved independence from British rule in 1964, becoming a Republic in 1966. Then came thirty years of dictatorial rule with a highly centralised system of government under the late Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
In 1993 a national referendum paved the way for the adoption of multiparty democracy as a form of government. Banda’s autocratic rule was consigned to history. But ten years after the ushering in of multiparty democracy in the country, is freedom a reality in today’s Malawi?
A commemoration of the referendum
A three-day conference to mark the commemoration of the referendum took place at the Capital Hotel in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, from 4-6 June 2003. The conference was organised to mark the anniversary of the end of authoritarian rule in Malawi, and the ushering in of a political dispensation that allowed people to express their political opinions.
It was organised under the theme: «From Freedom to Empowerment: Ten Years of Democratisation in Malawi», and aimed at providing a forum for involved people to engage in a constructive debate on Malawi’s democracy. Also, it was to be a forward-looking conference, determined to identify challenges to the future of Malawi’s democracy, and offer new insights that could be utilised in the mass media, political campaigning, policy making, civic education, and academic debate.
The conference was sponsored jointly by four German institutions operating in Malawi: The Konrad Adenauer Foundation; the Malawi-German Programme for Democracy and Decentralisation; the Forum for Dialogue and Peace; the National Initiative for Civic Education, and had the following main objectives:
Main objectives
- To review the democratic transformation process of Malawi over the last decade;
- To compare Malawi’s democratic transformation with regional and international trends;
- To initiate a regional discourse on democratic transformation for Southern Africa;
- To inform people about Malawi’s development in the past decade.
These objectives were related to three problematic areas: There is a need for continuing civic education on the meaning and prospects of democracy in Malawi; further decentralisation of duties and responsibilities is necessary for the consolidation of Malawi’s young democracy; solutions within a framework of guaranteeing basic freedoms, must be found to the ever-increasing conflicts taking place.
Target groups for the conference included Malawians and foreigners with interests in the country’s democratisation process. It was open to the general public.
But what kind of freedom?
Thandika Mkandawire is a Geneva-based Malawian working for the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD). In his paper «Democratic Development and Empowerment», Mr Mkandawire said: «The referendum of 1993 not only led to a shift in politics but it redeemed our self-respect. It revealed that under the pall of silence imposed by the authoritarian regime, there were smouldering fires of the quest for freedom. Malawians’ silence was not a sign of compliance, but a measured response to a vicious police state that pitted father against son, brother against sister.»
Although Malawi became independent in 1964, independence did not bring freedom to the Malawian people. According to Dr. Vera Chirwa, an Executive Director of the Malawi Centre for Advice and Research and a one-time political prisoner under Banda’s regime: «Independence had clearly not brought freedom to the Malawian people.
Under Dr. Banda’s autocratic government, the new Bill of Rights was ignored. Human rights’ violations were the rule rather than the exception. Freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom to own property, the right to life — these constitutional rights were systematically suppressed.»
Political and social struggle has been a constant for many years. While political transitions have been reasonably peaceful, there have certainly been lives lost during the course of the fight. What exactly were Malawians fighting for?
In her keynote address, Dr. Vera Chirwa said: «Under British rule, we fought for independence. Once we achieved independence, our struggle quickly shifted to one for survival. We fought for our existence as a peaceful and law-abiding nation.
«We fought for the survival of our children, our grandchildren, and ourselves. We fought for the inalienable rights to which each one of us is entitled by virtue of being human.The ushering in of a multiparty system a decade ago was a critical first step.
«During this time, Malawians fought for the right to express themselves, to assemble peacefully, to write and print their opinions, to worship the God of their choosing.
«They fought for personal security, the right to be free from unlawful arrest and unreasonable detention, for the freedom to move throughout the nation and outside the nation, to live free from the fear created by oppressive and intolerant government.
«They fought for the rights of children, the rights of prisoners, the rights of those affected by the scourge of HIV/AIDS, the rights of the disabled, the right to development, to economic equality, to won property, to inherit property. They fought for accountability, responsibility and transparency of government, against corruption and abuses of power. But Malawians are still fighting.
«The country continues to experience growing pains in the development of its democratic system. Problems still abound, including domestic violence, economic exploitation, inheritance disputes and land grabbing, political violence, limited citizen participation, insufficient understanding of human and constitutional rights and democracy.»
In another keynote address, Professor Brown Chimphamba, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi and current Presidential Adviser on Education observed: «But, sad to say, ten years since the referendum of 1993, this country remains one of the poorest nations in the world.»
Challenges ahead
Malawi faces many challenges. According to Dr. Vera Chirwa, ten years into the era of democracy, incidents of police brutality and abuse of power are all too frequent. There are widespread allegations of torture inflicted by police against people in custody. Political violence is on the rise. Police have been quick to act when the suspected perpetrators of political violence are members of opposition parties.
Professor Brown Chimphamba critically observed the injustices that exist in Malawi. He cited the blatant inequalities in salary structures.
Regarding economic development, he pointed out that «most of the problems the country is experiencing are, by and large, of our own making. I sense lack of patriotism, lack of focus on priority issues, insensate capacity to consume before creation of wealth to support our appetite, jealousy and lack of self-confidence. These are some of the major impediments to our progress.»
Talking about the failure of democracy in Malawi, Thandika Mkandawire said: «If democracy fails in this country. it will be because we have been betrayed by the elite. Also, there are many threats to Malawi’s democracy: Regionalism and tribalism that is so pervasive in the country politics: the culture of envy and jealousy; political intolerance; fear and sycophancy.
Is there a way forward?
Dr. Khwima Nthara placed emphasis on civic education. He said: «Civic education is crucial. Not only must the electorate be aware of what to expect of their politicians, politicians and all other players in the political-economy must be aware of their responsibilities. Politicians at all levels should gain knowledge in the principles of good governance in general and sound economic management in particular, so that their energies are directed towards finding solutions to Malawi’s economic problems.»
An enlightened public is a fundamental component of democracy. Citizens must know, claim and defend their rights. In this regard, Dr. Vera Chirwa called upon civil society to intensify civic education efforts especially on issues affecting human rights. She said: «Most violations of human rights go unpunished because of ignorance.»
Fundamental to the country’s democracy is good governance. According to Thandika Mkandawire: «Good governance is not simply a question of rules and institutions, but also of their content and purpose. Nor does good governance mean that “good people” govern. It means that elected people govern with due respect for the rules of the game and accountability to their voters. Also, those who govern must be “democrats” in the true meaning of the word. We must all endeavour to cultivate a spirit of mutual respect and integrity in the service of democracy.»
And according to Roosevelt Gondwe, Parliament’s Clerk: «Democracy presupposes participation by all Malawians and competition. But there must be information.»
But, let’s face it, without improvements in the lives of the people, freedom remains an elusive dream.
- Patrick Mawaya, Malawi, June 2003 — © Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment