‘Worrisome Trends’: The voice of the churches in Malawi's third term debate

During 2001–3, Malawi's United Democratic Front government attempted to secure a constitutional amendment to allow President Bakili Muluzi to stand for a third term in office. A significant factor in the failure of this attempt was the opposition of Malawi's churches. Having played a prominent role as midwives of the democratic dispensation inaugurated in 1993–94 at the end of Kamuzu Banda's autocratic rule, the churches continue ten years later to play an integral role in the nurturing and development of democratic politics. This article offers a survey of the statements issued by the churches and an analysis of their role in the defeat of the third-term proposal. It is noted that Malawi's churches have come to regard themselves as custodians of democratic values, champions of the constitution and spokespersons for the people. The significance of appeal to the Bible is assessed and the churches' emerging challenge to the politics of patronage is examined. It is argued that, within civil society, the churches have proved to be the most effective agent in challenging the ruling elite. The unity and unanimity with which they opposed the third-term bid is identified as the key to their effectiveness.