Malawi court overturns Mutharika win, calls for new elections

Malawi court overturns Mutharika win, calls for new elections

Malawi’s top court has thrown out the results of a May 2019 presidential election, one that saw President Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party gain a disputed second term that was challenged immediately by the political opposition. The five judges have ordered a new election to be held within…

With protests across the globe, UN appeals for peaceful change

With protests across the globe, UN appeals for peaceful change

The United Nations addressed on Friday the global spread of unrest that has swept across nearly every continent, with both the UN Secretary General and the head of the UN human rights office in Geneva appealing for peaceful demonstrations and expressing concerns over violence. “Disquiet in peoples’ lives is leading…

Malawi gets $13 million to boost its Blue Economy

Malawi gets $13 million to boost its Blue Economy

Africa’s vision for the “Blue Economy” got a boost from African Development Bank Group (AfDB) this week, with the announcement of US $13.2 million in financing for fisheries and aquaculture in Malawi. The country’s government will add another $1.38 million for the Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture Development, and Watershed Management project…

Protests continue for a fourth day in Malawi

Protesters took to the streets of Lilongwe again Friday for the fourth consecutive day, as the political opposition continues to demand the resignation of Jane Anseh, Malawi’s electoral commission chief, and opposition parties begin preparing supporters for a final court decision on the disputed May presidential election. The May 21…

Kenya begins malaria vaccine program

Kenya has joined the nations of Ghana and Malawi in administering a new malaria vaccine, with parts of the country participating in a pilot program offered in partnership with the World Health Organization. The vaccine known as RTS,S has taken 30 years to develop and so far is the only…

Another bomb attack threatens Malawi opposition group

In Malawi, plans for a meeting between security officials and opposition leaders with the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) were disrupted Friday by yet another firebomb threat outside the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe. Witnesses say an unidentified suspect was seen running toward an HRDC vehicle with the firebomb before escaping….

Another firebomb targets Malawi’s HRDC protest leader

In Malawi, a second firebomb has been launched at the property of Timothy Mtambo, the leader of a human rights organization that has organized protests against the outcome of the disputed May presidential election and Malawi’s electoral commission. Mtambo, who heads up the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), said this…

U.S. embassy issues warning over Malawi election protests

The United States Embassy in Lilongwe has issued a travel ban and security warning for staff, ahead of planned protests Friday in the wake of the disputed Malawi presidential election. “Though organizers consistently have called for peaceful protest, looting and violence have occurred during recent demonstrations throughout Malawi’s major cities,”…

Mutharika wins Malawi presidential election

President Peter Mutharika of Malawi will serve another term, following Monday’s announcement from the Malawi Electoral Commission that he won the election with 38.6 percent of the vote. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate received 1,940,709 votes, while his nearest competitor – Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)…

Mutharika holds lead in Malawi presidential election

Incumbent President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) continues to hold a significant lead as the Malawi Electoral Commission tallies the votes from Tuesday’s elections. Mutharika has received 40.5 percent of the vote for president with 1,436,877 votes so far. His nearest competitor, Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi…

Malawi waits for presidential election results

Officials in Malawi say no results of Tuesday’s elections will be released until after 10 p.m. local time at the earliest, because at least one polling station had a delayed opening and it won’t close until late. The Malawi Electoral Commission issued a statement explaining the delay, and urged all…

Malawi: EU election observers robbed, injured in Chikwawa

Two members of the European Union’s election observation mission in Malawi became crime victims early Sunday after a robbery where the team was staying. The EU observers, in Malawi ahead of the country’s May 21 presidential election, said the incident happened overnight in Chikwawa, about 50 kilometers southwest of Blantyre….

Vote-rigging claims, political violence mar Malawi campaigns

It may seem a minor offense at the moment, but in the run-up to Malawi’s May 21 presidential election, officials in Karonga in the country’s north are urging calm after someone tore down a campaign billboard promoting United Transformation Movement (UTM) party candidate Saulos Chilima. The giant billboard was placed prominently…

Children’s malaria vaccine program launches in Malawi

Malawi on Tuesday became the first African nation to launch a pilot program to administer the world’s first malaria vaccine to children ages 2 and under, according to the World Health Organization. The vaccine known as RTS,S has taken 30 years to develop and so far is the only vaccine…