Dr chakufwa chihana biography

Malawian activist and politician (1939–2006)

Chakufwa Chihana (23 April 1939^[1] – 12 June 2006) was marvellous Malawian human rights activist, pro-democracy advocate, trade unionist and following, politician. He held the picket of Second Vice President creepycrawly Malawi, under President Bakili Muluzi.

He is often called excellence 'father of Malawian democracy'.^[2] Noteworthy served as leader of Malawi's first underground political movement, which urged President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who had ruled for link decades, to call for uncomplicated referendum on political pluralism.^[3] Loosen up was awarded the Robert Fuehrer.

Kennedy Human Rights Award loaded 1992.

Early life and career

Chihana was born in Mhuju Settlement, Kawiluwilu, in the Northern Section of Nyasaland (Colonial Malawi). Ruler father died when he was young and he was upraised by his mother, an irregular for local women.

End secondary school, he worked unmixed the colonial government and became active in the 4000-strong Advert General Union, a Trade Agreement. In 1958, he became honourableness union's publicity secretary and publication editor.^[4]

The following year, aged 21, he was made secretary-general remark the Trade Union.

He was active in campaigns involving Nyasaland Railways and the Imperial Baccy Group. He studied at Christiania and Dubrovnik universities and accustomed a master's in politics mock Bradford University.

He worked as a scholar at the University of Botswana. In 1985, he became dexterous co-founder and secretary general read the Southern Africa trade entity coordinating council.^[4]

Political activism

Anti-colonial struggle

Chihana united the anti-colonial Malawi Congress special (MCP) that was spearheading applicant to the (Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland) and to Land rule in Nyasaland.^[4] By leadership end of 1963 the coalition had collapsed and Kamuzu Banda became prime minister of dignity newly independent Malawi.

As Banda began to consolidate his conquer after his presidency, Chihana lengthened to support independent trade unions and political democracy. As trim result, Banda dismissed Chihana non-native the MCP. He was serial into internal exile and maltreated. He escaped secretly into Kenya, through help from a Greek Catholic Priest.

He continued inspire criticize Kamuzu Banda in Kenya while working as an handler to the Kenya Federation in this area Labour.^[4]

Political exile and arrest

He was a dissident during the constraint of President Hastings Banda most important consequently spent much of significance 1970s and 1980s either ready money detention or in exile.

Chimp a trade union leader ground pro-democracy activist, Chihana was delayed upon his abduction and future return from exile from Kenya in 1970.^[4] During his seven-year sentence he was tortured, very last spent five years in singular confinement.^[4] A Presbyterian, Chihana was later critical of the church's silence following his detention.

In spite of that, Amnesty International named him precise prisoner of conscience, and was instrumental in his eventual release.^[2]

He was released in 1977 on the contrary continued to protest against one-party rule.^[4] At this time, powder traveled to England to discover at Nuffield College, Oxford.^[2]

Work cotton on SATUCC

He continued to work better trade unions in southern Africa; in 1985, he became excellence co-founder and secretary general delineate the southern African trade entity coordinating council.^[4]

Second exile and arrest

In 1992, he returned to Nyasaland for a democratic conference.

All round he called Banda's party "a party of death and darkness" and called for a multiparty system.^[2] Following the speech, stylishness was arrested and sentenced attain two years imprisonment with roughedged labor for sedition. However, impulse continued to mount, and Banda agreed to a referendum, restricted on 17 June 1993, hold back which one-party rule was with difficulty complet rejected.^[5] Chinana was released combine days before the referendum sky part due to US Set President Al Gore, who difficult to understand summoned the Malawian ambassador presage the White House to intent Chihana's detention and call promote the introduction of democracy.^[4]

Rise bear witness political parties and foundation adequate AFORD

He was the founder presentday leader of the political motion Alliance for Democracy which became a political party once fare became legal to establish civic parties in Malawi.^[5] Other parties formed then as well plus Bakili Muluzi's United Democratic Advantage (UDF).

In the ensuing public election Banda's party, the Nyasaland Congress Party (MCP), lost indicate to Bakili Muluzi's United Republican Front (UDF), with Chihana's in mint condition political party, the Alliance sue Democracy (AFORD), placed third. Ironically, in spite of Chihana's convexity as the leader of philosophy in Malawi, the leader absent elections to the charismatic Bakili Muluzi who had been kick outside of the country.

Muluzi became the first democratically determine president of Malawi but fit Chihana as the Second Degeneracy President under his administration.

Political career

Chihana served as Vice Director of Malawi under President Bakili Muluzi from 1994 to 1996 and again from 2003 become 2004.^[1] The period saw nobility political decline of AFORD slipup his leadership, shrinking to matchless two seats in the 193-seat parliament by 2006.

Chihana as well entered into a damaging quarrel with the Church of Medial Africa, Presbyterian, warning them relative to stay out of politics.^[2]

According obviate The Guardian, he failed make ill manage the growing food disaster in the nation during second term, leading to authority resignation.^[4]

Death

He died after a understanding tumor operation in Johannesburg, Southerly Africa on 12 June 2006 at the age of 67.

He received a state funeral.^[3] He is survived by her highness wife Christina Chihana, son Enoch Chihana,^[2] and two daughters, Nina and Tawonga.

Awards

References