Malawi has a democratic multi-party government. Malawi's foreign policy is pro-Western and includes positive diplomatic relations with most countries.
Colonized by the British until independence, the country enjoys strong links to the international community.
Upon gaining independence in 1964 Malawi became a single-party state under the presidency of Hastings Banda, who remained president until 1994, when he was ousted from power. Bingu wa Mutharika elected in 2004 was succeeded upon his death by incumbent president Joyce Banda.