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Article: Farewell, doctor? Malawi. (Hastings Kamuzu Banda may be ousted)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- June 19, 1993
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1993 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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WE HAVE cut the black cockerel's throat," one jubilant Malawian shouted after casting his vote in Malawi's referendum on the future of the one-party state on June 14th. The cockerel is the symbol of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of President-for-Life Hastings Ka-muzu Banda. It now seems possible that the nonagenarian Dr Banda could outlive his 30-year-old presidency.
Some 63% of voters favored the creation of a multi-party system. Turnout was high, particularly in urban areas where people had no qualms about defying the government. Even in the traditionally docile countryside, where the control of the MCP and its paramilitary Young Pioneers is still ...