Malawi: History

The Bantu tribe unite several smaller states including Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique to form the Maravi Confederacy.

Britain begins exploring the area and begins to develop a river route into Central Africa in 1878 to enable trade.

The area of Malawi is renamed the British Central African Protectorate, which is later changed to Nyasaland in 1907.

Nyasaland declares independence as Malawi.

Malawi ends diplomatic relations with Taiwan, switching its allegiance to China.

A new national flag is introduced to Malawi

May: Malawi expels British high commissioner over a leaked diplomatic cable in which the envoy describes President Mutharika as increasingly autocratic.

July: Anti-government protests leave 19 people dead. Britain halts all aid to Malawi, accusing the government of mishandling the economy and failing to uphold human rights.

President Mutharika dies, is succeeded by vice-president Joyce Banda. The following month she devalues the kwacha currency by a third to satisfy International Monetary Fund requirements to restore funding. This prompts panic buying of basic goods.

First of 70 defendants appear in court over the so-called Cashgate affair - the country's biggest corruption scandal so far.

Cyclone Idai causes extensive flooding and loss of life in eastern districts.