Malawi 

Introduction

The Republic of Malawi is a unitary state in south-central Africa. A long, landlocked country, it is bordered by Zambia to the north and north-west, by Mozambique to the south-west, south and east, and by Tanzania to the north and north-east. Its eastern border runs in part through the waters of Lake Nyasa with one of Malawi’s districts, the island group Likoma, located within Mozambican territorial waters. Malawi has an area of 118,480 sq km, with a land area of 94,080 sq km and an estimated population of 13,603,181. 

Malawi is one of sub-Shaharan Africa's most densley populated countries, largely agrici=ultural. Malawi has three administrative regions: northern with six districts, central with nine districts and southern with 13 districts. In urban areas there are three city assemblies, one municipal assembly aand eight town assemblies.

Summary

The Republic of Malawi made the transition from a single-party state to a multi-party democracy in the national elections of 1994. Malawi, ranked 164 out of 175 countries for low human development on the UNDP Human Development Index, continues to rely on donor assistance for its development. The paramount importance of poverty reduction is reflected in Malawi’s major policy statements: Vision 2020, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and the decentralisation programme.

Since 2005 there have been no elected councillors in Malawi. Councils were dissolved pending local elections, However, as yet no date has been set for these elections.

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