Malawi: Information regarding a Presidential decree promoting the firing of members of the northern tribe from the civil service and its outcome
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1990 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MWI4780 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Malawi: Information regarding a Presidential decree promoting the firing of members of the northern tribe from the civil service and its outcome, 1 May 1990, MWI4780, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad2d28.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Chewa ethnic group is the numerically dominant group in the central region of Malawi. [
FootnoteS:
George T. Kurian, Encyclopedia of the Third World, Third Edition, vol.II, (New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1987), p.1245.] The Nkholde (Ngonde) who live in the extreme north of Malawi between the Songwe River and the lower reaches of the north Rukuru river are related to the Nyakusa, Lambya and Sukwa of northern Malawi. [ibid.] The Nyanja, Chewa, Tonga, and Tumbuka are related and collectively referred to as the Maravi, making up 58.3% of Malawi's population. [1989 Britannica Book of the Year, (Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 1989), p.649. Attached.]
Although George T. Kurian (1987) states that inter-ethnic relations are characterized by tolerance and flexibility, [ibid. p.1245.] the New African addresses the issue of the double standard employed in Malawi: the government reportedly discriminates in favour of Nyanja speakers from the central and southern regions. [ "Pogroms Against Northerners", New African, (London: IC Publications, November 1989), p.20.]
According to Africa Watch, northerners have been excluded from a significant share of political power since 1964 and more recently since January 1989 the government has embarked on widespread dismissals. Detention without charge of prominent northerners in the civil service and educational system has been documented. [ "News From Malawi: Deaths in Custody, Detentions and Discrimination", News From Africa Watch, Washington: Human Rights Watch, 24 April 1989, p.1. Attached pp.1-4.]
The attached article speaks of the president's long-standing "aversion" to the people of the north. As retaliation for the north's alleged support for a leading exiled opposition figure, Banda has reportedly "unleashed brutal repression" upon northerners. [ New Africa, ibid.]
Please consult the attached article for more information regarding the treatment of northerners:
- A map locating the ethnic groups of Malawi is included from: L'état du Monde, édition 1985, Paris: La Découverte, 1985, p.338.
- "Malawi: The Struggle Around Banda", Africa Confidential, London: Miramoor Publications, 7 July 1989, pp.6-7.
- "Malawi: Arrests", Africa Confidential, 14 April 1989.
- "Malawi: Attack On The North", Africa Confidential, 3 March 1989, pp.5-6.
