Malawi's constitutional court judges have won the 2020 Chatham House Prize in recognition of their 'courage and independence in the defence of democracy'.
The Chatham House Prize is an annual honour awarded to the person, persons or organization who are deemed by the institute's members to have made the most significant contribution to the improvement of international relations in the previous year.
At a time when standards of democratic governance are under threat not only in Africa, but in many democracies, Malawi's constitutional court judges set an example for their peers across the world by upholding the centrality of the rule of law and separation of powers.
The 2019 Malawi presidential election result was overturned after a panel of five High Court judges identified 'widespread, systematic, and grave irregularities' in the polls and called for fresh elections.
Despite high-level bribery attempts and threats, Justice Healey Potani, Justice Ivy Kamanga, Justice Redson Kapindu, Justice Dingiswayo Madise and Justice Michael Tembo - who arrived in court under armed escort and wearing bullet-proof vests - delivered their 500-page ruling which upheld the constitution and defended citizens' democratic rights in the most difficult circumstances.
While some African countries have made important progress in the consolidation of democracy, this is now under threat as the pandemic creates space for authoritarian opportunists. The Malawi ruling is unprecedented in a country where past elections have been marred by irregularities, electoral fraud and violence. The judges successfully asserted their independence in the face of significant pressures and the power of incumbency.
Dr Robin Niblett, Director of Chatham House, said: 'This is a historic moment for democratic governance. The ruling by Malawi's constitutional court judges is not only crucial for rebuilding the confidence of Malawi's citizens in their institutions, but also for upholding standards of democracy more widely across the African continent.'
There could be no more special way to mark Chatham House's Centenary than by recognizing the commitment of these brave individuals to the cause of accountable governance and the justice that this affords to all.
Dr Robin Niblett, Director of Chatham House
Malawi's constitutional court judges will be presented with the Chatham House Prize later this year, with a formal ceremony due to take place in 2021.
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The Chatham House Prize is voted for by Chatham House members, following nominations from the institute's staff.
The Chatham House Prize was launched in 2005. Previous recipients of the Prize include Sir David Attenborough and BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, president of Ghana John Kufuor, Médecins Sans Frontières and Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Watch videos from previous years' awards ceremonies
Full list of previous winners
2019 - Sir David Attenborough and BBC Studios Natural History Unit
2018 - The Committee to Protect Journalists
2017 - Juan Manuel Santos
2016 - John Kerry and Mohammad Javad Zarif
2015 - Médecins Sans Frontières
2014 - Melinda Gates
2013 - Hillary Clinton
2012 - Rached Ghannouchi and Moncef Marzouki
2011 - Aung San Suu Kyi
2010 - Abdullah Gül
2009 - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
2008 - John Kufuor
2007 - HH Sheikha Mozah
2006 - Joaquim Chissano
2005 - Victor Yushenko
