Bakili Muluzi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Elson Bakili Muluzi
Muluzi in 2019
2nd President of Malawi
In office 24 May 1994 – 24 May 2004
Vice President	Justin Malewezi and Chakufwa Chihana
Preceded by	Hastings Banda
Succeeded by	Bingu wa Mutharika
Personal details
Born	(1943-03-17) 17 March 1943 (age 82) Machinga, Nyasaland
Political party	Malawi Congress Party (before 1992) UDF (1992–present)
Spouses	Annie Chidzira Muluzi (divorced) Patricia Fukulani ​ ​ (m. 1987; div. 2011)​
Children	7, including Atupele

Elson Bakili Muluzi (born 17 March 1943) is a Malawian politician. He served as the second President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004. He was also the leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF) political party until 2009. Muluzi took over from Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who had led Malawi since its independence.

Early Life and Political Start

Bakili Muluzi was born on 17 March 1943. Before becoming president, he was involved in politics for many years. He served as a minister in President Banda's government. He was also a secretary general for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). He left the MCP in 1992 and became a strong supporter of democracy.

Becoming President

In May 1994, Malawi held its first election where multiple political parties could compete. Bakili Muluzi was the candidate for the opposition UDF party. He won the election with 47% of the votes. This victory ended Hastings Kamuzu Banda's 33-year rule. Banda had been Malawi's leader since it became independent from Britain.

His Time as President

Muluzi was re-elected for a second term in June 1999. He won with 52.4% of the votes. During his presidency, Malawi faced some big challenges. One major issue was related to food supply. There was a drought, and many people faced hunger.

In 2002, Muluzi suggested changing Malawi's constitution. This change would have allowed him to run for president a third time. However, many people protested against this idea. The country's lawmakers and courts also strongly opposed it. Because of this, the plan was stopped.

After serving two terms, Muluzi stepped down in 2004. He handed power to Bingu wa Mutharika. Mutharika was also from the UDF party and had been chosen by Muluzi to be his successor.

After Being President

Even after leaving office, Bakili Muluzi remained an important political figure. He continued to be the chairman of the UDF party. Later, his successor, President Mutharika, left the UDF. Mutharika then started his own party in 2005.

In April 2005, Muluzi publicly apologized to Malawians. He said he was sorry for choosing Mutharika as his successor.

Muluzi continued to be active in politics. In 2007, many UDF members wanted him to run for president again in 2009. Muluzi announced that he would seek his party's nomination. The question of whether he could run again caused some debate. Malawi's constitution limits presidents to two consecutive terms. Some thought this meant he could run again after being out of office for a term.

In April 2008, the UDF party officially chose Muluzi as their candidate for the 2009 presidential election. He received a large majority of the votes at the party convention. However, on March 20, 2009, the Malawi Electoral Commission decided that Muluzi could not run for a third time. Muluzi challenged this decision in court. Just three days before the election, on May 16, the Constitutional Court confirmed that he could not run again. After this, Muluzi and the UDF party supported John Tembo for president.

On December 23, 2009, Muluzi announced that he was retiring from active politics. Friday Jumbe took over as the leader of the UDF party.

In May 2008, there were political tensions between Muluzi and President Mutharika. Mutharika accused Muluzi of trying to remove him from office. Muluzi denied these claims. When Muluzi returned to Malawi on May 25, 2008, he was briefly held at the airport. His supporters protested his detention. He was later released.

In July 2014, Muluzi was appointed as a special envoy for the Commonwealth to Swaziland. This appointment was supported by Malawi's president at the time, Peter Mutharika.

Personal Life

Bakili Muluzi was Malawi's first Muslim president. He was married to Annie Chidzira Muluzi and later to Patricia Shanil Muluzi. He had seven children, including Atupele Muluzi.

Sadly, Muluzi's first daughter, Esme Atweni Muluzi, passed away in December 2016. His wife, Annie Chidzira Muluzi, died in 2021. His other wife, Patricia Shanil Muluzi (also known as Shanil Dzimbiri), passed away in a plane crash in June 2024.

See also

In Spanish: Bakili Muluzi para niños