Chakufwa Chihana (23 April 1939[1] – 12 June 2006) was a Malawian human rights activist, pro-democracy advocate, trade unionist and later, politician.
Chihana was born in Mhuju Village, Kawiluwilu, in the Northern Region of Nyasaland (Colonial Malawi).
[4] By the end of 1963 the federation had collapsed and Kamuzu Banda became prime minister of the newly independent Malawi.
As Banda began to consolidate his power after his presidency, Chihana continued to support independent trade unions and political democracy.
As a trade union leader and pro-democracy activist, Chihana was detained upon his abduction and subsequent return from exile from Kenya in 1970.
However, pressure continued to mount, and Banda agreed to a referendum, held on 17 June 1993, in which one-party rule was decisively rejected.
[5] Chinana was released four days before the referendum in part due to US Vice President Al Gore, who had summoned the Malawian ambassador to the White House to protest Chihana's detention and call for the introduction of democracy.
Chihana also entered into a damaging feud with the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian, warning them to stay out of politics.
[2] According to The Guardian, he failed to manage the growing food crisis in the nation during his second term, leading to his resignation.