Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution which came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, has struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor, who still leads their shared political party. MUTHARIKA's anti-corruption efforts have led to several high-level arrests and one prominent conviction. Increasing corruption, population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for the country.
Country profile: Malawi
For three decades Malawi's destiny was tied to the whims of its totalitarian president-for-life, Kamuzu Banda, who enjoyed being surrounded by dancing women and who encouraged people to betray relatives who criticised his rule.In the mid-1990s he buckled under popular pressure to hold elections, and lost - finally giving Malawians a taste for multi-party democracy.
His successor, Bakili Muluzi, removed many of the repressions of the Banda years, but the leadership was accused of corruption. Social problems persist, including poverty and the high rate of HIV-Aids infection.
AT-A-GLANCE- Politics: Turbulent politics is said to have hampered governance. President Mutharika has taken a tough anti-corruption stance and quit his party. Vice-president Chilumpha faces treason charges
- Economy: More than half the population lives below the poverty line. Moves are under way to exploit uranium reserves to boost meagre export earnings
- International: Malawi is one of only six African countries to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan rather than China
Most Malawians rely on subsistence farming, but the food supply situation is precarious and the country is prone to natural disasters of both extremes - from drought to heavy rainfalls - putting it in constant need of thousands of tonnes of food aid every year. Malawi has been urged by world financial bodies to free up its economy. Since the mid-1990s it has privatised many loss-making state-run corporations. Its single major natural resource, agricultural land, is under severe pressure from rapid population growth.
Tens of thousands of Malawians die of Aids every year. After years of silence, the authorities spoke out about the crisis. A programme to tackle HIV-Aids was launched in 2004, with President Muluzi revealing that his brother had died from the disease.
Malawi boasts a variety of landscapes, from wetlands and lakes to mountains and forests. National parks and game reserves beckon visitors.
- Full name: The Republic of Malawi
- Population: 12.6 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Lilongwe
- Area: 118,484 sq km (45,747 sq miles)
- Major languages: English, Chichewa (both official)
- Major religions: Christianity, Islam
- Life expectancy: 40 years (men), 40 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Malawi kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
- Main exports: Tobacco, tea, sugar, cotton
- GNI per capita: US $160 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .mw
- International dialling code: +265
President: Bingu wa Mutharika
Bingu wa Mutharika, the candidate of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), was sworn in on 24 May 2004 after winning presidential elections.
Less than a year later he resigned from the UDF, accusing the party and his predecessor Bakili Muluzi of opposing his high-profile anti-corruption campaign. He formed a new grouping, the Democratic Progressive Party.
Donor countries warned in 2005 that a power struggle between the president and his predecessor was diverting the government's attention from pressing problems, including food shortages.
Mr Mutharika had been hand-picked by the outgoing President Muluzi as the UDF candidate after parliament refused to accept an amendment to the constitution allowing Mr Muluzi to stand for a third term. Perceived as a relative outsider, his nomination surprised many UDF members and led to several defections.
The run-up to the poll was overshadowed by opposition claims of irregularities. European Union and Commonweath observers said although voting passed peacefully, they were concerned about "serious inadequacies" in the poll.
Mr Mutharika is an economist and a former secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa). He has also worked for the World Bank and the UN.
Radio is the chief source of information for many Malawians. State-run MBC is the main national broadcaster. Television was introduced in 1999.
Privately-owned publications present a range of opinions, although the government has used libel and other laws to put pressure on newspaper journalists.
BBC World Service is available on FM in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
The press
Television
Radio
News agency
Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounted for nearly 36% of GDP and 80% of export revenues in 2005. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for over 60% of exports. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. The government faces strong challenges, including developing a market economy, improving educational facilities, facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened. In 2005, President MUTHARIKA championed an anticorruption campaign. Malawi's recent fiscal policy performance has been very strong, but a serious drought in 2005 and 2006 will heighten pressure on the government to increase spending.
Malawian natural resources include limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature
Malawian religion is Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census).
Natural hazards in Malawi include NA.
Travel Advice on Malawi
SUMMARY
- Driving can be hazardous. Drive carefully and avoid travel after dark. Always wear seat belts.
- The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- Most visits to Malawi are trouble free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Malawi is for replacing stolen passports.
- You should carry some form of identification (i.e., your passport) with you at all times.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for any activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Political Situation
Malawi Country Profile
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Buying uncut precious stones is illegal.
Outside the main tourist areas, women should cover legs and shoulders so as not to offend local sensitivities.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the proposed date of entry.
You are not allowed to work as a volunteer, even unpaid, on a tourist visa. For details on entry requirements as a volunteer, contact the Malawian High Commission in London for Advice.
The Malawian High Commission can also advise on other types of entry requirement, and the procedure for longer stays.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country and/or before permitting the children to leave the country.
For further information on Malawi’s immigration requirements please contact the Malawian High Commission in London.
HEALTH
GENERAL