Malavi: Afrika’da Barışçıl Demokrasi ve Siyasi Geçişin Örneği

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Malavi’de demokratik siyasal düzenin sürekliliğini ve kırılganlıklarını tarihsel ve kurumsal boyutlarıyla analiz etmektir. Özellikle 1994 sonrası çok partili hayata geçiş süreci, barışçıl iktidar değişimleri ve bağımsız milletvekillerinin siyasal sistemdeki konumu incelenmiştir. Yöntem olarak nitel araştırma yöntemi benimsenmiş; literatür taraması, anayasal metin analizi ve uluslararası demokrasi endekslerine dayalı ikincil veri incelemesi yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın temel varsayımı, düşük gelir düzeyi ve sınırlı kurumsallaşmaya rağmen seçimsel rekabet, yargı bağımsızlığı ve aktif sivil toplumun demokratik dayanıklılığı mümkün kıldığıdır. Bulgular, Malavi’de siyasal partilerin ideolojik temellerinin zayıf ve lider merkezli bir karakter taşıdığını; buna karşın düzenli ve rekabetçi seçimlerin sistemin meşruiyetini güçlendirdiğini göstermektedir. 2020 başkanlık seçimlerinin Anayasa Mahkemesi tarafından iptal edilerek yenilenmesi, yargısal denetimin demokratik sistem açısından kritik bir güvence olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca bağımsız milletvekillerinin parlamentodaki esnek konumu, koalisyon siyasetini şekillendiren önemli bir unsur olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Etnik çeşitlilik, siyasal mobilizasyonu etkilese de yaygın ve süreklilik arz eden bir iç çatışma üretmemiştir. Sonuç olarak Malavi demokrasisi, kurumsal açıdan kırılgan ancak seçim ve yargı alanındaki urumsallaşmış mekanizmalar sayesinde dirençli bir yapı sergilemektedir. Öngörü olarak, ülkenin uzun vadeli kalkınma stratejisi olan Malavi 2063 (MW2063) vizyonu doğrultusunda yönetişim reformları, ekonomik çeşitlendirme ve insan sermayesinin güçlendirilmesi hedeflerinin hayata geçirilmesi hâlinde demokratik kapasitenin daha da pekişebileceği değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çerçevede parti kurumsallaşmasının güçlendirilmesi, yasama denetim kapasitesinin artırılması ve hukukun üstünlüğünün derinleştirilmesi temel öneriler olarak sunulmaktadır.

Keywords

• Malavi
• Darbe Yokluğu
• Demokratikleşme
• Meşruiyet

Malawi: An Example of Peaceful Democracy and Political Transition in Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyse the continuity and fragility of the democratic political order in Malawi in its historical and institutional dimensions. In particular, the transition to a multi-party system after 1994, peaceful transfers of power, and the position of independent members of parliament within the political system have been examined. A qualitative research design was adopted as the methodology; a literature review, constitutional text analysis, and secondary data analysis based on international democracy indices were conducted. The fundamental assumption of the study is that, despite low-income levels and limited institutionalisation, electoral competition, judicial independence, and an active civil society enable democratic resilience. The findings show that political parties in Malawi have weak ideological foundations and are leader-centred; however, regular and competitive elections strengthen the legitimacy of the system. The annulment and re-run of the 2020 presidential elections by the Constitutional Court demonstrated that judicial oversight is a critical safeguard for the democratic system. Furthermore, the flexible position of independent MPs in parliament stands out as an important factor shaping coalition politics. Although ethnic diversity has influenced political mobilisation, it has not produced widespread and persistent internal conflict. Consequently, Malawi's democracy is institutionally fragile but resilient thanks to electoral and judicial mechanisms. It is anticipated that democratic capacity could be further strengthened if the objectives of governance reforms, economic diversification and human capital enhancement, in line with the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) vision, the country's long-term development strategy, are implemented. In this context, strengthening party institutionalisation, enhancing legislative oversight capacity, and deepening the rule of law are presented as key recommendations.

Keywords

• Malawi
• Absence of Coup
• Democratisation
• Legitimacy

References

1. Africanews. (2020, June 28). Malawi swears in new president Lazarus Chakwera. https://www.africanews.com/2020/06/28/malawi-swears-in-president-lazarus-chakwera/
2. Amundsen, I., & Kayuni, H. (2016). Women in politics in Malawi: An introduction. In I. Amundsen & H. Kayuni (Eds.), Women in politics in Malawi (pp. 1–10). Nordic Africa Institute.
3. Anders, G. (2002). Like chameleons: Civil servants and corruption in Malawi. Bulletin de l’APAD, 23–24, 135–154.
4. Anders, G. (2005). Civil servants in Malawi: Mundane acts of appropriation and resistance in the shadow of good governance (Unpublished manuscript). Afrika-Studiecentrum, Leiden. https://www.ascleiden.nl/pdf/paper08092005-anders.pdf
5. Benfica, R., Squarcina, M., & de la Fuente, A. (2018). Structural transformation and poverty in Malawi. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.280074
6. Chazema, T. A., Tembo, M., Mphande, C., Kerr, R. M., & Kumwenda, D. (2025). Strategic equilibrium in civil-military relations: Insights from Malawi’s democratic transition. International and Public Affairs, 9(2), 52–58.
7. Chiweza, A. L., Kayuni, H., & Muriaas, R. L. (2022). Understanding handouts in candidate selection: Challenging party authority in Malawi. Party Politics, 28(3), 515–526.
8. Chirwa, W. C. (2005). Malawi’s 2004 elections: A challenge for democracy. Journal of African Elections, 4(1), 43–60.

9. Chunga, J. J. (2014, January). Examining the relevance of political parties in Malawi (Afrobarometer Briefing Paper No. 125). Afrobarometer. https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/bp125-examining-relevance-political-parties-malawi
10. Chunga, J. J., & Luwemba, M. (2022). Malawi: A nation of strong citizenship ties and high—if imperfect—tolerance and fairness (Afrobarometer Dispatch No. 570). Afrobarometer. https://www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad570-malawi-a-nation-of-strong-citizenship-ties-and-high-if-imperfect-tolerance-and-fairness/
11. Government of Malawi. (1994). Constitution of the Republic of Malawi. Government Printer. https://www.justice.gov.mw/sites/default/files/2021-06/Malawi%20Constitution.pdf
12. Huntington, S. P. (1956). Civilian control and the constitution. American Political Science Review, 50, 676–699.
13. Huntington, S. P. (1996). Üçüncü dalga: Yirminci yüzyıl sonlarında demokratlaşma (E. Özbudun, Çev.). Yetkin Yayınları.
14. Hussein, M. (2012). Decentralisation and management reforms on the death bed? Obstacles facing Malawi's district councils. Africa Review, 4(1), 33–47.
15. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance & Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries. (2020). Lessons from Malawi’s fresh presidential elections of 23 June 2020: Conference report (Webinar, 31 August 2020).
16. Kalua, P. (2011). The extent of political party institutionalization in Malawi: The case of United Democratic Front (UDF) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Forum for Development Studies, 38(1), 43–63.
17. Kameme, W. S. (2011). Politics, democracy and governance in independent Malawi: The dichotomy between promises and reality (Master’s thesis, University of Birmingham).
18. Legatum Institute. (2022). Pathways to prosperity: Malawi case study. https://www.prosperity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Malawi-Report-2022.pdf
19. Levitsky, S., & Way, L. (2002). The rise of competitive authoritarianism. Journal of Democracy, 13(2), 51–65.
20. McCracken, J. (1998). Democracy and nationalism in historical perspective: The case of Malawi. African Affairs, 97(387), 231–249.
21. Mgawadere, F. E. A., & Manda, M. (2025). Language, participation and inclusivity in the urban planning process in Mzuzu City.
22. National Planning Commission. (2020). Malawi 2063: Wealthy and self-reliant nation – Kusintha dziko lathu mokomera aliyense. https://www.npc.gov.mw
23. Nkhata, M. J., Mwenifumbo, A. W., & Majamanda, A. (2021). The nullification of the 2019 presidential election in Malawi: A judicial coup d’état?. Journal of African Elections, 20(2), 1–28.
24. Nundwe, V. T., Tembo, M., Mphande, C., Chazema, T. A., Ngilazi, H., & Kumwenda, D. (2025). Assessing the military upholding of constitution in democracy to promote national food security in Malawi. International Journal of Law and Society, 8(1), 1–8.
25. Samarin, M. (2024). Desk study on aid and democracy: Malawi. UNU-WIDER. https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Report/PDF/Malawi-desk-study-aid-democracy.pdf
26. Schmidt, M. G. (2001). Demokrasi kuramlarına giriş (M. E. Köktaş, Çev.). Vadi Yayınları.
27. Supreme Court of Kenya. (2017). Presidential petition no. 1 of 2017 (Raila Amolo Odinga & another v. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & others). Nairobi.
28. Transparency International. (2021). Corruption Perceptions Index 2020. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2020/index
29. Transparency International. (2022). Corruption Perceptions Index 2021. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2021/index
30. Transparency International. (2023). Corruption Perceptions Index 2022. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022/index
31. Transparency International. (2024). Corruption Perceptions Index 2023. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023/index
32. Transparency International. (2025). Corruption Perceptions Index 2024. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2024/index
33. Wikman, B. (2012). The institutionalisation of political parties in Malawi (Bachelor’s thesis, Lund University).
34. Zeze, W. S. D. (2015). Democratic constitution and ethnic organizations in Malawi: Preserving good culture or promoting regionalism, nepotism and tribalism. History Research, 5(3), 169–187.
35. Ziwoya, F. O. (2016). Deliberation, difference and democratic practice in Malawi. Journal of Public Deliberation, 12(1), 1–24.
36. “Pulpit to presidency: Malawi's new president takes office.” (2020, June 28). Africanews. https://www.africanews.com/2020/06/28/malawians-vote-in-crucial-presidential-poll-rerun-despite-virus/
37. World Bank. (2024). World Development Indicators: GDP per capita (current US$) – Malawi. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=MW