Malawi

Capital: Lilongwe Other cities–Blantyre (the commercial capital), Zomba, Mzuzu.

Population: 16,323,044 (July 2012 est.)

People Groups: Chewa 32.6%, Lomwe 17.6%, Yao 13.5%, Ngoni 11.5%, Tumbuka 8.8%, Nyanja 5.8%, Sena 3.6%, Tonga 2.1%, Ngonde 1%, other 3.5% (2008 census)

Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), regional dialects, i.e., Chitumbuka, Chiyao, Chilomwe.

Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 3%, other 2%.

Government: Type: Multi-party democracy.

Branches:

Executive–President Bingu-wa-Mutharika (the president is both chief of state and head of government), first and second vice presidents, cabinet.

Legislative–unicameral National Assembly (193 members). Although the Malawian constitution provides for a Senate, in practice the legislative branch’s upper house has never been called into session.

Judicial–High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, subordinate Magistrate Courts.

Living Conditions: Malawi is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most densely populated countries. No significant friction currently exists between tribal groups, and the concept of a Malawian nationality has begun to take hold. Predominately a rural people, Malawians are generally conservative and traditionally nonviolent.

920,000 are living with HIV/AIDS resulting in 51,000 deaths per year. General adult literacy is 62% with 75%men and only 50%women.

History: Inhabited from prehistoric times, they are now mainly a Bantu people. European contact began with David Livingstone in 1859. Churches then opposed the slave trade with the Persian Gulf which continued to the end of the century. Britain took control, combining the country with Rhodesia but independence was granted in 1964. Malawi has progressed democratically but there is corruption, poor health facilities and low incomes. It is aimed to reduce poverty to 27% nationally by 2015. At present the country’s judicial system is non operative as workers are on strike to receive long overdue (2006) pay rises. This is leading to increased injustice and permitting suppression of opposition. There is a growing grass roots anti-government movement and accusations that the President is in fact a dictator.

Pray for:

• A change of attitude at government level so that the nation does not slide into revolution.

• The identification of delegates for the summit.

• The identification of Men of Peace.

• Unity among the Protestant churches which are at present divided.

• An openness to the Church Planting Movement vision.