Alliance for Democracy (Malawi)

Alliance for Democracy
Founder Chakufwa Chihana
President Godfrey Shawa
Founded 1993
Ideology Social democracy[1]
Political position Center-left
Colors Blue
National Assembly
1 / 193
Election symbol
Victory sign hand
Politics of Malawi
Political parties
Elections

The Alliance for Democracy is a political party in Malawi that marked its history as laying the foundation for multi-party rule in Malawi. It began as an underground political movement during the Kamuzu Banda era and later evolved to a political party during the multi-party era under the leadership of trade union activist, Chakufwa Chihana. AFORD has a stronghold in the northern region. The president is Godfrey Shawa.[2]

History

AFORD began as an underground political movement under Banda's dictatorship under the leadership of trade unionist and political activistChakufwa Chihana.[3] He led an underground political movement that aimed at democratic multi-party rule.He was the first person to openly challenge the system. Therefore he is known as the 'father of Malawian democracy' for his role in ushering in multi-party rule in Malawi.[4] He was arrested in 1992 when he returned to Malawi and his arrest heightened both domestic and international pressure.His arrest lead to increasing calls for multi-party rule both domestically and internationally.[5] Chihana's freedom was supported by Amnesty International and by the Robert F. Kennedy Association. Soon after the churches issued a pastoral letter in support of democracy and multi-party rule. Banda agreed to a referendum on multi-party rule and Malawians decided to vote for a multi-party system.When political parties became legal in 1993, Chihana officially registered AFORD as an opposition party.[6] AFORD had now moved from an underground movement to a registered political party. AFORD ran for the country's first elections in 1994 and came in third. Its founder, Chihana was appointed as vice-president.[7]

Internal politics

AFORD as a political party began to decline due to internal politics within the party.[8] AFORD's influence slowly became increasingly isolated to the Northern Region.

Elections

At the last general elections, 20 May 2004, the party won 6 out of 194 seats.

Presidents

Notable AFORD members

References

  1. ↑ http://mwnation.com/malawi%E2%80%99s-political-party-dissolved-joins-aford/
  2. ↑ http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/11/25/malawi-opposition-aford-president-gowa-quits-leadership-shawa-takes-over/
  3. ↑ http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/chakufwa_chihana_1_1124791
  4. ↑ http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/chakufwa_chihana_1_1124791
  5. ↑ http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/chakufwa_chihana_1_1124791
  6. ↑ http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/chakufwa_chihana_1_1124791
  7. ↑ http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/chakufwa_chihana_1_1124791
  8. ↑ http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/chakufwa_chihana_1_1124791
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