List of political parties in Malawi

The Nyasaland African Congress led the anti-colonial movements in Malawi under the leadership of Kamuzu Banda. When the NAC was banned it changed its name to the Malawi Congress Party which led Malawi to independence and continued to rule from 1964 until 1994, under a one party state system. This system was challenged by political activists throughout the years, however Banda's dictatorship suppressed opposition, creating a culture of silence.

By 1992, Chakufwa Chihana, a trade unionist, lecturer and activist, became the catalyst for a multi-party system in Malawi.{{cite web|last=Cordrey |first=James |url=http://articles.philly.com/1993-11-17/news/25947879_1_political-prisoner-chakufwa-chihana-multiparty-elections/2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913170728/http://articles.philly.com/1993-11-17/news/25947879_1_political-prisoner-chakufwa-chihana-multiparty-elections/2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2012 |title=Malawi Opposition Leader Tells of Years in Prison Chakufwa Chihana Thanked The Local Chapter of Amnesty International For His Release. - Philly.com |publisher=Articles.philly.com |date=13 June 1993}} He led an underground political movement that aimed at democratic multi-party rule.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/15/world/africa/15chihana.html?_r=1 |title=Chakufwa Chihana, 67, Malawi Politician, Is Dead - The New York Times|work=The New York Times |date=15 June 2006 |agency=Agence France-Presse }} He was the first person to openly challenge the system. He was arrested in 1992 when he returned to Malawi and his arrest heightened both domestic and international pressure. Chihana's freedom was supported by Amnesty International as well as the Robert F. Kennedy Association. Due to growing pressure, Banda agreed to hold a referendum to let the public decide on the issue of multi-party rule. During the 1993 referendum, Malawians voted for a multi-party system and it became legal to form political parties in Malawi. Chihana's movement lead to the formation of his party, Alliance for Democracy (AFORD). Other prominent parties formed and emerged as well, notably the United Democratic Front which was founded by Bakili Muluzi. Malawi's first multi-party elections were held in 1994. The MCP contested in these elections as well. The UDF under the charismatic Bakili Muluzi won these elections becoming the first party that was democratically voted into power in Malawi. Chihana's party came third, and he was awarded the position of second Vice-President.{{cite news|author=Shola Adenekan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/jul/13/guardianobituaries.mainsection |title=Obituary: Chakufwa Chihana | News |work=The Guardian |date=12 July 2006 }} However, Chihana has made his mark on Malawi's history and is known as the "father of democracy" in Malawi.{{cite web |url=http://fearlessgeneration.com/?p=36 |title=Rumphi Central BY-Election (Malawi): AFORD Wins|website=fearlessgeneration.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710035229/http://fearlessgeneration.com/?p=36 |archive-date=10 July 2012 |url-status=usurped}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ovguide.com/chakufwa-chihana-9202a8c04000641f8000000000e12725 |title=Chakufwa Chihana Video | Interviews |publisher=Ovguide.com }} Malawi had peacefully ushered in multi-party rule which continues until today.

• Mgwirizano Coalition
• Malawi Democratic Party
• Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (MAFUNDE)
• Movement for Genuine Democratic Change
• National Unity Party (NUP)
• People's Progressive Movement
• People's Transformation Party (PETRA)
• Republican Party
• National Democratic Alliance
• Umodzi Party (UP) - Founded in 2013 by John E Chisi

• 2020–present (MCP)
• 2014–2020 (DPP)
• 2012 - 2014 (PP)
• 2009 – 2012 (DPP)
• 1994 – 2009 (UDF)
• 1964 – 1994 (MCP)

• Cabinet of Malawi
• Politics of Malawi
• Elections in Malawi
• List of political parties by country

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{{Malawian political parties}}

{{Africa in topic|List of political parties in}}

Malawi

Political parties

Political parties

Malawi