Month saw increased tensions with Tanzania over long- running Lake Malawi border dispute after British Surestream company, granted mining license by former President Mutharika, started exploratory operations in lake region claimed by Tanzania; parties held talks on sidelines of 17-18 Aug SADC heads of state Maputo summit, ruled out possibility of military action to resolve dispute; 26 Aug failed to reach compromise; new round of talks scheduled for Sept. People’s Party 27 Aug endorsed President Banda as 2014 election candidate.

Commission of Inquiry report into 2011 killings publicly released 10 July, criticised excessive police force, blamed media for spreading violence; President Banda 20 July declined to commit to adoption of report’s recommendations, promised prosecutions of perpetrators. Banda 6 July pardoned 377 prisoners as part of Independence Day celebrations; decision followed by prison protests, 7 prisoners escaped, 8 further reportedly shot dead.

Govt 8 June cancelled planned AU Summit after AU pressure to include Sudanese President Bashir, despite ICC arrest warrant. Parliament Speaker 21 June rejected Democratic People’s Party petitions for by-elections following mass defection to President Banda’s People’s Party. Banda 18 June received Commission of Inquiry report into July 2011 demonstration killings.

In first state of nation address, President Banda 18 May called for restoration of rule of law, announced inquiries into former president Mutharika’s death, April coup plot, Malawi Revenue Authority tax scandal; revealed plans to revoke anti- gay legislation. Multiple MPs defected to Banda’s People’s Party. President Banda 17 May fired head of Anti-Corruption Board Alex Nampota, accused of shielding former president Mutharika’s collaborators from investigations.

President Mutharika 5 April died from heart attack; VP Joyce Banda sworn in 7 April following constitutional process, despite alleged coup plot to install Peter Mutharika, brother of President Mutharika, as successor; Malawi Law Society 17 April called for prosecution of alleged coup conspirators. Banda 27 April announced new “reconciliation” cabinet, fired 10 senior ministers, including Peter Mutharika, 6 others reportedly involved in con- spiracy. Banda 10 April announced desire to normalise relations with donor countries; UK 24 April announced resumption of diplomatic relations.

Opposition United Democratic Front presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi detained 17 March; anti-govt protesters demanding Muluzi’s release 19 March set fire to police station. Police 15 March warned they would use force to break up opposition rallies calling for reform, 16 March arrested chairman of Human Rights Commission John Kapito; HRW 23 March said recent surge of arrests reflects govt’s broader crackdown on rights, free speech.

Outspoken presidential critic, former Attorney General Ralph Kasambara 11 Feb called for President Mutharika’s resignation; jailed 13 Feb with 5 supporters, accused of kidnapping, torturing 3 men, released 15 Feb on bail, re-arrested 16 Feb. Kasambara said case politically motivated. State-run Anti-Corruption Bureau 17, 20-21 Feb interrogated 3 lawyers who worked on Kasambara bail application.

30 arrested after Lilongwe’s illegal vendors 5 Jan clashed with police dismantling their stalls. Junior judicial workers 9 Jan went on strike over 6-year overdue pay rises, paralysing court system.

ICC 13 Dec referred Malawi to UNSC for refusing to arrest Sudanese President Bashir; govt threatened to withdraw from ICC Statute.

Sudanese president Bashir 14 Oct visited amid widespread pressure on govt from international community and opposition United Democratic Front to arrest him in fulfilment of ICC warrant. Police forcibly dispersed riots against growing insecurity in Mitundu 16 Oct, triggered by killing of shop owner; 2 civilians “feared dead”, 60 arrested.