Chief Justice dedicates award to Malawi

Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda on Monday dedicated to the Malawi nation the 2023 Medal of Merit in Leadership Award  that the African Bar Association (AfBA) conferred on the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal.

The prestigious award, which was conferred on the Malawi Supreme Court by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo in Pretoria, South Africa, was for recognition of the apex court’s achievement in promoting the rule of law and judicial independence in Africa.

In his acceptance speech, Mzikamanda said receiving such an award was a high moment for him, his delegation, the entire Malawi Judiciary and the nation of Malawi.

“It is humbling to learn that this honour is in recognition of the leadership role the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal bench has played and continues to play in the promotion of the rule of law, judicial independence and the principles of separation of constitutional powers in Africa.

“We are even more elated to learn that the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal has an enviable record which the African Bar Association deeply appreciates and cannot be seen as ordinary, especially against the background of the records of most judicial institutions across the African continent,” the Chief Justice said.

The continental award, he said, was a reminder that the Malawi story needs to be told, and told well, regardless of her small size and humble economy.

“The Malawi Judiciary, as a bulwark of the rule of law in the country, continues to play its pivotal and constitutional role in the consolidation of democracy, entrenchment of constitutionalism and the rule of law for good governance and effective delivery of justice and judicial services.

“Our commitment to these ideals is not a one-off event, but has remained our guide since the dawn of multiparty democracy and the current constitutional set up nearly three decades ago,” he said.

He informed the delegates that in 2020 the Malawi Judiciary, through a five-member panel in the landmark constitutional case on the 2019 Presidential Elections, received another much-coveted award of the 2020 Centenary Chatham House Prize in recognition of the bench’s courage and independence in defence of democracy.

In an interview last week, High Court and Supreme Court registrar Kondwani Banda said Mzikamanda was expected to make a presentation to over 1 500 delegates to the conference which opened on August 6 2023 at the University of South Africa.

AfBA is a professional body of lawyers in Africa established in 1971, headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.