Malawi emerged from decades of one-party autocracy to a multi-party
democracy in 1994. Fundamental economic liberalization and structural reforms have accompanied this
political transformation, although the impact has been uneven. Further economic reforms and the
continued development of democratic institutions are needed to ensure stability and consolidation as the
country prepares for its presidential and parliamentary elections in May 2004. The outcome of these
elections will be critical to future economic and political progress.
The United States’ strategic goals in Malawi are three-fold: to increase economic prosperity and security;
to strengthen democracy and human rights; and to address social and environmental issues, in particular,
improving health, containing the HIV/AIDS pandemic--which continues to threaten the integrity of all
societal institutions in Malawi--and increasing the quality of basic education. Malawi is a strong ally within
the southern Africa region and has demonstrated significant potential as a democratic pillar in an unstable
region. Malawi continues to support U.S. interests in regional development and political issues. Promoting
broad-based and private sector-led economic growth and supporting democratic governance will
contribute to a more stable country and region and thus to better business and trading partnerships with
Malawi for the United States.
