On 16 May 1994, the Malawi National Assembly adopted a provisional constitution, and on 17 May Malawi voters streamed from impoverished villages to take part in the first multiparty election in three decades. Kamuzu Banda, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders was overthrown.
In 1964, Britain released the colony of Nyasaland and it became Malawi, with Kamuzu Banda sworn in as the country’s first president.
From the beginning of his 30-year rule in Malawi, Banda followed policies which were at odds with other African leaders in the newly independent nations. He maintained cordial relations with the repressive white-supremacist regimes of the southern continent, in particular, South Africa and the Portuguese administration in neighbouring Mozambique.
The aging Banda continued to rule Malawi with an iron fist throughout the 1970s and into the late 1980s.
By 1992, Banda’s grip had begun to weaken and he agreed to a referendum and 63 percent of voters favoured adopting a multi-party democracy. Two opposition groups, AFORD and the United Democratic Front (UDF), both led by former MCP officials, held a massive rally in January 1993.
Bakili Muluzi of the UDF, a former cabinet minister, defeated Banda (MCP), Chihana (AFORD), and Kamlepo Kalua (Malawi Democratic Party). The new constitution took effect from 18 May 1995.
Source: SA History
