DOCSLIB.ORG

The Vertical and Horizontal Accountability

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

School of Politics, Philosophy and International Studies Centre for Legislative Studies The University of Hull United Kingdom THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MALAWI PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY A Thesis submitted to The University of Hull in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD.) POLITICS By WEBSTER SIAME KAMEME [MPhil, MSc, PGD, ATD] THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MALAWI PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Politics THESIS By WEBSTER SIAME KAMEME [MPhil, MSc, PGD, ATD] June 2015 ii Dedicated To my Mum LIZIE Born 1915, Died 15/12/2014: [A day before my viva voce] R.I.P. Tributes I would like to pay tribute to two special people who started this project with me but never saw it complete because they have since passed-on to Glory. My Father Rev. Adam Kameme (1913-2007) and my Father-in-law Pinson Mwengama Mtambo (1934-2013) “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55; KJV) iii Acknowledgements For those that believe in divine interventions, please join me in giving “God” the Honour and Glory for preserving and providing for us to see this project to fruition. The list of people that deserve my sincere and profound gratitude is inex- haustible. Almost everyone went out of their way to support this research project. However, there are a few names that I am compelled to acknowledge. If I was able to see far, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of these ‘giants’. Special ‘thank-you’ to my personal supervisor, the Legendary Professor Lord Norton of Louth and my second supervisor, Dr Cristina Leston-Bandeira for christening me into the philosophies of politics. I shall forever remain indebted to the University of Hull in general, The School of Philosophy, Politics and International Studies and that of the Centre for Legislative Studies in particular for the Scholarship; without which this project would have been, but a fantasy. Allow me to acknowledge the Speaker of Malawi Parliament the Rt. Hon. Hennery Chimunthu Banda – MP, Management and staff of Malawi Parlia- ment for opening the Parliamentary ‘Golden Gates’ for office accommodation as well as allowing me to study the institution. The support that this project received from all political parties, the Civil Society, Non-governmental Organ- isations, the Academia and Faith Groups was no doubt overwhelming. How- ever, the personal contributions from a few individuals deserves a mention, Her Excellence Dr. Joyce Banda, (president of the Republic of Malawi), The Rt. Hon. J.Z.U. Tembo-MP (leader of Opposition in Parliament), Dr. Cassim Chilumpha-MP (Former State Vice President), Bishop Matoga and Rev. Vincent Chirwa, to mention a few. iv My family network was enormous, beginning from our household with my wife Christine, our children Webster Jr. and Suwilanji as well as stretching back to Malawi with Norah Siame Nsanja and Family. We were all together in it! It will be hypocritical of me not to mention my bigger church family net- work. Pastors Themba Ndlovu and Dean Chauke and their families together with the Brethren in Christ Church (UK) and friends, May God richly bless you. Special thanks to all my constituents in Chitipa North who overwhelmingly voted for me to Parliament in the 1999 General Elections. They allowed me to have ‘hand-on’ experience as Member of Parliament. My Executive Com- mittee, Senior Chiefs Kameme and the late Mwabulabia and all those that actively took part in various development endeavours for Chitipa North, I was proud to serve you with humility and honour. To one and to all, we can say, “We did it.” v Abstract …the future is that; I think we have hit rock bottom and that the only way we can go now is not down but up. I have hope. I have told Malawians that we need to look into the future with hope and I know that we shall be fine. What I am implying here is that ultimately what is going to save democracy in Malawi is the willingness by Malawians to protect themselves and preserve the freedoms and rights which they have…, (President, Joyce Banda, 2011)1. The thesis of this study is that the Malawi Parliament ought to be the hub of vertical and horizontal accountability in legislation, representation and oversight roles. Salih, (2005, p.3) states that parliaments are caught between fulfilling the governance role and acting as part of government. Therefore, in order to effectively fulfil this objective, parliament must be supported, (Ma Ngok, in Siu-Kai, 2002). However, the study notes that the Malawi Parliament has a high executive influence; no policy making power with minimal legislative viscosity, (Norton, 2005, 1990; Polsby, 1975; Mezey, 1979 and Blondel, 1973). Consequently, it is argued with empirical data that since the 1994 multiparty election, parliament has not been effective in its vertical and horizontal accountability roles, (Lindberg, 2009). In the horizontal accountability, parliament plays an inter-governmental role of the executive oversight as well as that of checks and balance, (Stapenhurst and O’Brien, 2011, p. 3). In the vertical, parliament is held accountable through its elected members by its voters, stakeholders and the civil society, (Chirwa and Nijzink, 2012, p.6). It is argued that when voters (principals) delegate their decision-making power to parliament (agent), the principal must have mechanisms in place of holding the agent(s) accountable for their actions or lack of it and if necessary, impose sanctions or remove the agent from power, (Strom, 1999, pp. 7, 8). In every developed democracy, government 1 President Joyce Banda: Sworn in as President of the Republic of Malawi on the 7th April, 2012. vi policies and services are demand driven; sanctioned, monitored and evaluated by the legislature (Lupia and McCubbins, 1999, p. 4). Using empirical data, the study observed that although the Malawi Parliament has made significant reforms towards regaining its independence and autonomy from the executive, it still continues to be seen as a legitimatisation and sometimes rubberstamping institution, (Nyamongo, 2010; Chinsinga, 2007; Patel, 2007). The contributory factors were both intrinsic and extrinsic such as lack of institutional capacity as well as political will by the executive to support a greater parliamentary autonomy. Thus, the study recommends that the Malawi Parliament institutes a human resource development programme in order to improve the technical capacity of legislative support staff as well as MPs; increase funding and strengthen parliamentary committee system for higher scrutiny as well as a wider stakeholder consultation at every stage of the legislative process; The study also recommends that appointments of directors in auxiliary governance agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Electoral Commission of Malawi, and the Human Rights Commission shift from the presidency to parliament. It is the assumption of this study that increasing parliamentary oversight potential promotes democracy and good governance, (Pelizzo and Stapenhurst, 2007, p.13). vii Contents Dedicated ............................................................................................................................. iii Tributes ................................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... iv Abstract ................................................................................................................................ vi Contents ............................................................................................................................. viii Tables .................................................................................................................................. xii Table of figures ................................................................................................................... xiii Glossary of Words and Terms ............................................................................................ xiv Who is who in the thesis? ................................................................................................... xix CHAPTER: ONE ................................................................................................................... 1 Malawi Parliament: The Nation and its Constituents ............................................................. 1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 The Study Objectives ................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Hypotheses ................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Major contribution of the study ................................................................................... 4 1.5 Structure of Thesis ..................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Malawi: The Land and the People .............................................................................. 6 1.7 Historical Context ......................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • MALAWI COUNTRY of ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service

    MALAWI COUNTRY of ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service

    MALAWI COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service 31 OCTOBER 2012 MALAWI 31 OCTOBER 2012 Contents Preface Useful news sources for further information Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................ 1.01 Map ........................................................................................................................ 1.05 2. ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 2.01 3. HISTORY ................................................................................................................. 3.01 Local government elections ................................................................................ 3.05 Foreign donor aid to Malawi suspended ............................................................ 3.07 Anti-government protests: July 2011 ................................................................. 3.10 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2012) ......................................... 4.01 5. CONSTITUTION .......................................................................................................... 5.01 6. POLITICAL SYSTEM ................................................................................................... 6.01 Human Rights 7. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 7.01 8. SECURITY FORCES ...................................................................................................
  • A Gendered Socio-Economic History of Malawian Women's

    A Gendered Socio-Economic History of Malawian Women's

    “We faced Mabvuto”: A Gendered Socio-economic History of Malawian Women’s Migration and Survival in Harare, 1940 to 1980. A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY IREEN MUDEKA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Name of Adviser: Allen F. Isaacman, Name of Co-adviser: Helena Pohlandt McCormick October 2011 © IREEN MUDEKA Acknowledgements I owe a great debt of gratitude to many friends, colleagues and everyone who provided moral and intellectual support from the period when I started research on this dissertation until its completion. I am very thankful to all Malawian women and men in Rugare, Mufakose, Highfield and Mbare townships of Harare, Zimbabwe and to those in Mpondabwino and Mbayani townships of Zomba and Blantyre who took the time to talk to me about their personal lives. Because of their generosity, they became not just informants but my teachers, mothers, sisters and friends. In Harare, I especially want to thank Mrs. Tavhina Masongera of Rugare for going beyond sharing her life experiences with me to take me under her wing and provide a bridge between me and other women in the townships of Harare as well as of Malawi. Mrs. Masongera took the time to travel with me all the way to Malawi where she introduced me to many women who had lived in Harare during the colonial period. Without her, I would not have known where to begin as a migrant in a country that I was visiting for the very first time.
  • Malawi: Recent Developments and U.S

    Malawi: Recent Developments and U.S

    Malawi: Recent Developments and U.S. Relations Nicolas Cook Specialist in African Affairs December 11, 2012 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42856 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Malawi: Recent Developments and U.S. Relations Summary President Barack Obama’s Administration and a number of Members of Congress have welcomed Malawian President Joyce Banda’s accession to power, largely because she has reversed a number of contentious decisions taken by her predecessor, Bingu wa Mutharika, who died in early April 2012 while serving a contentious second term. Banda’s status as Africa’s second female president, an internationally recognized women’s rights advocate, and a leader with personal socioeconomic development expertise has also drawn U.S. and other international support. There are also some indications that Banda may pursue a foreign policy aligned with selected U.S. regional policy goals. In August 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Malawi for discussions of economic and political governance and reform and to highlight bilateral development cooperation projects. In September Banda addressed a gathering of Members of Congress at a forum on U.S.-Malawian and broader U.S.-African relations. Malawi, a former British colony, is a small, poor country in southeastern Africa that underwent a democratic transition from one-party rule in the early 1990s and has long relied on donor aid. Under Mutharika, however, Malawi’s ties with donors had been damaged over concerns related to economic management, undemocratic governance trends, and Mutharika’s acrimonious stance toward donors. Upon taking office, Banda—who had served as Mutharika’s vice president and therefore succeeded him upon his death—made a range of economic and governance reform pledges and related policy decisions.
  • Chapter 4 Making, Unmaking and Remaking Political Party Coalitions

    Chapter 4 Making, Unmaking and Remaking Political Party Coalitions

    POLITICAL PARTY COALITIONS IN MALAWI 111 4 MAKING, UNMAKING AND REMAKING POLITICAL PARTY COALITIONS IN MALAWI Explaining the Prevalence of Office-Seeking Behaviour DENIS KADIMA AND SAMSON LEMBANI INTRODUCTION The contemporary history of political alliances in Malawi dates back to the early 1990s when Malawian political and social groupings joined forces and succeeded in voting out the 30-year-old one-party regime of Kamuzu Banda in 1994. While a recent unpublished study by Lars Svåsand, Nixon Khembo and Lise Rakner (2004) gives an account of the reconfiguration of Malawi’s party system after the 2004 general elections, there is no chronological and comprehensive account of the main coalitions of political parties in the country, their accomplishments and setbacks and the lessons that can be drawn from their experience. This explains the need for this study as well as the unique contribution that it makes to the field of party coalition politics. The study deals only with alliances made up of political parties. For this reason, the pre-1994 election alliance of various political pressure groups, faith-based organisations and non-governmental organisations, which worked towards the effective introduction of a democratic multiparty system, is not given significant attention. The study devotes equal attention to the history of both governing and opposition coalitions in Malawi. Specifically, it examines the short-lived coalition between the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) after the 1994 general elections; the 1995 alliance between the United Democratic Front (UDF) and AFORD; the alliance forged between the MCP and AFORD prior to the 1999 general elections; the UDF- AFORD-NCD Coalition preceding the 2004 general elections and the 111 112 THE POLITICS OF PARTY COALITIONS IN AFRICA Mgwirizano coalition of 2004.
  • Government & Politics Corr

    Government & Politics Corr

    1 CONCEPTUAL AND CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND Augustine Titani Magolowondo INTRODUCTION This book is about Government and politics in Malawi. The diversity of issues that are discussed in the subsequent chapters bears testimony to the complexity of this subject matter. The aim of this first chapter is twofold. First, as you may have probably experienced in our daily discourse, the terms Government and politics are often confused with other key terms such as state and nation. As a starting point, this chapter clarifies these related concepts, which are inherently connected but yet conceptually distinct. Second, the discussion in this chapter aims at providing the context within which politics and Government in Malawi operate. In this regard, I look at both the political history and key socio-economic characteristics of Malawi. Finally, I discuss challenges facing Malawi’s politics and Government today. WHAT IS POLITICS? The concept of politics is as old as Government itself. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher (384–322 BC) argued that ‘man is by nature a political animal’. What was meant is that politics is not only inevitable but also essential to human activity. In other words, wherever there are human beings, politics is unavoidable. However, much as Aristotle’s maxim has become almost indisputable among the students of politics, there is no consensus on what exactly is to be understood by politics. To appreciate the conceptual complexity of politics, let us consider for instance the 2000 constitutional amendment to Section 65 of the Malawi Constitution (popularly called the ‘crossing of the floor’ provision). This amendment was to result in any member of Parliament (MP) losing his/her seat should he/she join 1 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN MALAWI any organisation whose objectives were deemed to be political in nature.
  • Transition from a Personal Dictatorship in Malawi

    Transition from a Personal Dictatorship in Malawi

    The Transition from a Personal Dictatorship: Democratization and the Legacy of the Past in Malawi Please do not cite this pre-final version The final version was published as a book chapter in: Shadrack Wanjala Nasong’o, ed . The African Search for Stable Forms of Statehood: Essays in Political Criticism Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 2008, pp. 187-227. Stephen Brown Associate Professor School of Political Studies University of Ottawa [email protected] In the early 1990s, numerous African dictatorships relatively rapidly and rather unexpectedly liberalized politically. The degrees to which they democratized—and speed at which they did so—varied greatly. The new forms of governance also differed significantly from country to country, as do their prospects. To a certain extent, the variations can be ascribed to decisions of key players at specific moments in time, often in bargaining with other actors. Analyses of transitions based primarily on such voluntaristic factors, such as O’Donnell and Schmitter (1986), tend to minimize the effects of the past. Others, such as Bratton and van de Walle (1994), see clear patterns in how certain types of neopatrimonial regimes in Africa democratize, placing greater emphasis on institutional history. This chapter examines the democratization process in Malawi, using Bratton and van de Walle’s finding as a framework to analyze Malawi’s post- authoritarian governance and prospects for further democratization. Personal Dictatorship as Analytical Category Hastings Kamuzu Banda rule Malawi from independence in 1964 until 1994 through a highly arbitrary and personalized system. “Life President” Banda was the supreme authority; his word had the force of law and was ruthlessly enforced.
  • 1. Introduction 1. Malawi: a Multi-Ethnic Nation

    1. Introduction 1. Malawi: a Multi-Ethnic Nation

    From: Dr. Willie Zeze RE: Abstract Submission – 2015 Religious Freedom and Religious Pluralism in Africa: Prospects and Limitations Conference DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION AND ETHNIC ORGANIZATIONS IN MALAWI - PRESERVING GOOD TRADITIONAL PRACTICES OR PROMOTING NEPOTISM AND TRIBALISM? Abstract Due to the advent of the 1994 democratic constitution particularly its enactment on Protection of human rights and freedoms: Culture and language, Freedom of association, Religion and beliefs, Freedom of assembly and Political rights, Malawi has witnessed mushrooming of tribal organizations, aiming at preserving the traditional African religious beliefs and African cultural traditions. The Chewa Heritage Foundation (Chefo) and the Muhlakho wa Alhomwe (MWA) among the Chewa and Lhomwe tribes respectively are among well-known ethnic organizations through which the traditional beliefs, cultural traditions and religions are enjoying a significant respect from members of mentioned-tribes. The democratic constitution has cleared a road for the establishment of these ethnic organizations. However, it seems activities of Chefo and MWA are inter alia promoting tribalism and nepotism, in addition to being used as campaign tools for some political parties. This article intends to assess and evaluate the role and the impact of the Chefo and MWA on preservation of good cultural practices and constitutional democracy in Malawi. The hypothesis is, in spite of preserving cultural practices as guaranteed in constitution, the tribal organizations need to be watchful so that they should not promote tribalism, nepotism and being used as campaign tools by Malawian politicians. 1. Introduction In order to appreciate how in their understanding the Democratic Constitution the Chewa Heritage Foundation and Mulhako wa Alhomwe in Malawi, revitalize, preserved and protect customs, values, beliefs and traditional practices it is necessary to understand a social- political history of Malawi.
  • Politics of Judicial Independence in Malawi

    Politics of Judicial Independence in Malawi

    Politics of Judicial Independence in Malawi Freedom House Report prepared by Rachel Ellett, PhD Contents List of Acronyms 3 Acknowledgments 4 Executive Summary 5 Summary Assessment Table 8 Part I: Introduction 12 A Report Structure 12 B Methodology 12 C Background to the Study 13 D Politics and the Malawian Judiciary 1993-2013 16 Part II: Assessing Judicial Independence in Malawi 26 A Scope of Judicial Power 26 B Differentiation and Separation of Powers 29 C Internal Institutional Safeguards 36 D Transparency 48 E External Institutional Support 50 Part III: Analysis of Judicial Interference 55 A Manipulation of Personnel 56 B Institutional Assaults 56 C Personal Attacks on Judges 59 D Budget Manipulation Resources/Remuneration 62 E Attempted Co-option of Judges 63 Conclusion 64 Annex I: Summary of Existing Policy Reports on the Courts and Rule of law in Malawi 65 Endnotes 68 2 List of Acronyms AFORD Alliance for Democracy CILIC Civil Liberties Committee DPP Democratic Progressive Party HRCC Human Rights Consultative Committee MBC Malawi Broadcasting Corporation MCP Malawi Congress Party MEC Malawi Electoral Commission MLS Malawi Law Society PP People’s Party NDA National Democratic Alliance UDF United Democratic Front 3 Acknowledgments I would like to thank the many individuals who gave their time and consent to sit down for extensive one-on-one interviews in Johannesburg and Blantyre. These frank and detailed conversations generated significant insight and detailed and specific information, without which this report would be substantially diminished. Additionally I’d like to recognize the logistical and editorial support of the Freedom House Johannesburg and Washington DC offices and in particular the collegiality and support of Cathal Gilbert and Juliet Mureriwa.
  • Far from Being Idolatrous: Ancestor Veneration

    Far from Being Idolatrous: Ancestor Veneration

    Dr Alexander Jebadu SVD FAR FROM BEING IDOLATROUS: ANCESTOR VENERATION 2010 ______________________________________________ Steyler Verlaag, Nettetal Bibliografische Information Der Deutchen Bibliotek Die Deutche Bibliotek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutchen Nationalbibliografie; detailierte bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über http://dnb.ddb.de abrufbar. ©Steyler Verlaag Bahnhofstraβe 9 41334 Nettetal Germany [email protected] ISSN 0562-2816 ISBN 978-3-8050-0564-7 DPT: Martina Ludwig, Steyler Missionswissenschaftliches Instutut Druck: Verlaag Franz Schmitt, Siegburg TABLE OF CONTETS AKNOWLEDGEMENTS ……………………………………………………………...iii I. INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………...01 1.1. Problem Mapping of This Study …..…………….……………………………..01 1.2. Goal and Scope of This Study …………..….…………………………………..01 1.3. Organization of This Study and Its Methodology……………………….…….03 1.4. The Limitations of This Study ……………………………………………….…04 II. THE RELEVANCE OF THEOLOGY OF ANCESTRAL VENERATION……. FOR THE ASIAN-AFRICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH …………………..….…...06 2.1. Ancestral Veneration Presupposes Faith in Life after Death ……….………..06 2.1.1. Ancestral Veneration in the Work of Herbert Spencer ……….….…..07 2.1.2. Human Soul in the Frame of Edward Burnet Tylor’s Animism ……..10 2.1.2.1. Definition of Religion ………………………………………….….…...11 2.1.2.2. Animism …………………………………………………….………......11 2.1.2.3. The Origin of Belief in the Human Soul …….………………….….…13 2.1.2.3.1. Human Biological Phenomena …….…………………..…..13 2.1.2.3.2. The Unity of Life and Phantom …….….…………………..14 2.1.2.4. Samples of Popular Beliefs in Human Soul ….….………….…….….14 2.1.2.4.1. The Concept of Soul as Shadow ……..…………….….…...14 2.1.2.4.2. The Concept of Soul as the Cause of Life ………….....…...15 2.1.2.4.3.
  • The Arrival of Islam in Malawi

    The Arrival of Islam in Malawi

    Journal of Islamic Studies and Culture December 2019, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 39-47 ISSN: 2333-5904 (Print), 2333-5912 (Online) Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved. Published by American Research Institute for Policy Development DOI: 10.15640/jisc.v7n2a5 URL: https://doi.org/10.15640/jisc.v7n2a5 The Arrival of Islam in Malawi Abbas Saidi Mdoka1& Dr Che Amnah Binti Bahari2 Abstract This paper seeks to shed more light on the question of when and how Islam arrived in Malawi, who introduced it and what was the motive for its inauguration. Thepaper also attempts to make an inquiryinto how Christian missionaries sitting aloof observed, processed and responded to the growth and developments of Islam within Muslim communities in Malawi. It will also discuss the social, economic and political implications on Muslims, due to their refusal to send children to missionary school on account of “Education for Christianity”. And how the church, carefully drafted contemptuous desolations for Muslims which were borne due to church‟s noble ambition to Christianize the already religious Muslims instead of strengthening their membership to the heathen hordes who at the time outnumbered both Muslims and Christians all together. The research data were obtained through library study of books, journal and articles on the history of both Islam and Christianity. Keywords: Yao, Nkhotakota, Chewa, Jumbe, Muslims 1. Introduction The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north, and Mozambique to the east and south. It is pertinent to say here that the population of Malawi is composed of people belonging to various faith groups and religions, namely Islam, Christianity and some traditional believers from different tribes.
  • Political Continuity and Crisis in the Maji Maji Rebellion in Southeast Tanzania

    Political Continuity and Crisis in the Maji Maji Rebellion in Southeast Tanzania

    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by SOAS Research Online Journal of African History, 45 (2004), pp. 1–22. f 2004 Cambridge University Press 1 DOI: 10.1017/S0021853703008545 Printed in the United Kingdom TRADERS, ‘BIG MEN’ AND PROPHETS: POLITICAL CONTINUITY AND CRISIS IN THE MAJI MAJI REBELLION IN SOUTHEAST TANZANIA BY FELICITAS BECKER School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London ABSTRACT: This article places the origins of the Maji Maji rebellion in Southeast Tanzania within the context of tensions between coast and interior, and between ‘big man’ leaders and their followers, which grew out of the expansion of trade and warfare in the second half of the nineteenth century. Without discounting its im- portance as a reaction against colonial rule, the paper argues that the rebellion was driven also by the ambitions of local leaders and by opposition to the expansion of indigenous coastal elites. The crucial role of the ‘Maji’ medicine as a means of mobilization indicates the vitality of local politics among the ‘stateless’ people of Southeast Tanzania. KEY WORDS: Tanzania, rebellion, trade, politics. T HE Maji Maji rebellion, which shook German East Africa in 1905–7, was among the most dramatic and catastrophic anti-colonial uprisings in early colonial Africa. In its largest battles, the rebels counted in thousands. The German colonial government, although caught unawares, soon put together a brutal response. The number of dead, more often from the effects of German scorched earth strategies than from fighting, is unknown, but certainly reached tens, and possibly hundreds, of thousands.
  • Malawi Report

    Malawi Report

    COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT MALAWI MARCH 2006 RDS-IND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION SERVICE MALAWI MARCH 2006 CONTENTS Paragraphs 1 SCOPE OF DOCUMENT ................................................................................ 1.01 2 GEOGRAPHY ............................................................................................... 2.01 3 ECONOMY ................................................................................................... 3.01 4 HISTORY ..................................................................................................... 4.01 Independence to May 1994 ...................................................................... 4.01 Bakili Muluzi government May 1994 to May 2004 .................................... 4.02 Bingu wa Mutharika government May 2004 to date ................................. 4.03 5 STATE STRUCTURES ................................................................................... 5.01 The Constitution ........................................................................................ 5.01 Citizenship and nationality ................................................................... 5.04 Political system ......................................................................................... 5.05 Overview .............................................................................................. 5.05 Political parties..................................................................................... 5.08 2004 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections