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Malawi
Mass opposition to the Central African Federation, led by Banda's Nyasaland African Congress and its successor the Malawi Congress Party, brought the Federation's dissolution and independence in 1964.
- Independence
- July 6, 1964
- Before
- Nyasaland
- Metropole
- United Kingdom
- Leader
- Hastings Kamuzu Banda
- Transition
- Negotiated
- Movement
- Nyasaland African Congress / Malawi Congress Party (MCP)
“Nyasaland is—no doubt only temporarily—a police state”
— Devlin Commission (Report of the Nyasaland Commission of Inquiry), 1959
Protectorate and Chilembwe's Rising
In 1891 Britain established the Nyasaland Districts Protectorate, called the British Central Africa Protectorate from 1893 and Nyasaland from 1907. In 1915 the Reverend John Chilembwe, a Western-educated missionary, led an abortive and largely symbolic uprising against British rule; he was killed in February that year. He is remembered as a forerunner and martyr of Malawian nationalism.
Federation and Emergency
Banda and other Nyasa leaders strongly opposed federation with the Rhodesias, but the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was established in 1953. Under pressure from nationalists, Hastings Kamuzu Banda returned in 1958, after decades abroad, to a tumultuous welcome and led the Nyasaland African Congress. In March 1959 a state of emergency was declared and Banda was imprisoned. The Devlin Commission judged Nyasaland to be, temporarily, a 'police state'.
Release and Independence
Banda was released in April 1960 and soon accepted British proposals giving Africans a majority in the Legislative Council. His Malawi Congress Party won the August 1961 elections, and he became Prime Minister in 1963, the year the Federation was dissolved. Malawi became independent within the Commonwealth on 6 July 1964, and a republic, with Banda as President, on 6 July 1966.
Chronology
- 1891 — British protectorate established
- 1915 — John Chilembwe's rising
- 1953 — Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland established
- 1958 — Banda returns to Nyasaland
- March 1959 — State of emergency; Banda imprisoned
- April 1960 — Banda released
- August 1961 — Malawi Congress Party wins elections
- 31 December 1963 — Federation dissolved
- 6 July 1964 — Independence
- 6 July 1966 — Republic proclaimed
Aftermath
Soon after independence a serious dispute arose between Banda and most of his cabinet, ending in dismissals and resignations. The 1966 constitution made Malawi a one-party state, and in 1971 Banda was made President for Life. Despite criticism, he kept diplomatic ties with apartheid South Africa. Protests and the withdrawal of Western aid forced him to legalise other parties in 1993, and he lost the May 1994 election to Bakili Muluzi.
Legacy
Banda turned the independence movement into a personalised, conservative autocracy that lasted three decades. His ties with apartheid South Africa were unpopular across the region.