Malawi: The warm heart of Africa!
Government
From Malawi360
The Government of Malawi has been a multi-party democracy since 1994. Under the 1995 constitution, the president, who is both chief of state and head of the government, is chosen through universal direct suffrage every 5 years. Malawi has a vice president who is elected with the president. The president has the option of appointing a second vice president, who must be from a different party. The members of the presidentially appointed cabinet can be drawn from either within or outside of the legislature. Malawi's National Assembly has 193 seats, all directly elected to serve 5-year terms. The constitution also provides for a second house, a Senate of 80 seats, but to date no action has been taken to create the Senate. The Senate is intended to provide representation for traditional leaders and the different geographical districts, as well as various special interest groups, such as women, youth, and the disabled.
The constitution provides for an independent judiciary. Malawi's judicial system, based on the English model, is made up of magisterial lower Courts, a High Court, a Supreme Court of Appeal, and a Constitutional Court. Local government is carried out in 28 districts within three regions administered by Regional Administrators and District Commissioners who are appointed by the central government. Local elections, the first in the multi-party era, took place in on November 21, 2000. The UDF party won 70% of the seats in this election. The second round of constitutionally-mandated local elections, originally scheduled for May 2005, was cancelled by the government and have yet to be held.
The third multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections, originally planned for May 18, 2004 were postponed by two days following a High Court appeal by the main opposition Mgwirizano (Unity) coalition. The run-up to the poll was overshadowed by opposition claims of irregularities in the voters' roll. European Union and Commonwealth observers said although voting passed peacefully, they were concerned about "serious inadequacies" in the poll.
Principal Government Officials
- President--Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika
- Vice President--Dr. Cassim Chilumpha
- Minister of Agriculture and Food Security--Bingu wa Mutharika
- Minister of Economic Planning and Development--Ted Kalebe
- Minister of Finance--Godall Gondwe
- Minister of Foreign Affairs--Joyce Banda
- Minister of Energy and Mines--Henry Chimunthu Banda
- Minister of Health--Marjorie Ngaunje
- Minister of Information and Civic Education--Patricia Kaliati
- Minister of Irrigation and Water Development--Sidick Mia
- Minister of Justice--Henry Phoya
- Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security--Ernest Malenga
- Minister of Lands and Natural Resources--John Chirwa
- Minister of Labor--Anna Kachikho
- Minister of Local Government and Rural Development--George Chaponda
- Minister of National Defense--Bob Khamisa
- Minister of Youth Development and Sports--Khumbo Kachali
- Minister of Presidential and Parliamentary Affairs--David Katsonga
- Minister of Industry and Trade--Ken Lipenga
- Minister of Transportation, Public Works, and Housing--Henry Mussa
- Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Culture--Calista Chimombo
Malawi maintains an Embassy in the United States at 1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 (tel. 202-721-0270; fax 202-721-0288).
Malawi's Permanent Mission to the United Nations is located at 866 UN Plaza, Suite 486, New York, NY 10017 (tel.: 212-317-8738/8718; fax: 212-317-8729; e-mail: Malawinewyork@aol.com or MalawiU@aol.com). Malawi also maintains an Honorary Consulate in Los Angeles at 44970 Via Renaissance, Temecula, California 92590 (office number, 951-676-2476; fax number, 951-676-1568; and e-mail, malawiconsul@yahoo.com).
