Malawi Chief Justice Visit
The Books For Africa Law and Democracy Initiative was pleased to host the Chief Justice of the Malawi Supreme Court, Rizine Mzikamanda, for a week in the Twin Cities beginning April 13th. The Malawi Supreme Court received a reference law library from BFA in the fall of 2024. https://www.booksforafrica.org/news/malawi-supreme-court-law-library.html
During his time here, Chief Justice Mzikamanda had meetings with US District Judge Jerry Blackwell, Minnesota Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, and staff at Thomson Reuters. He also met with University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs Dean Nisha Botchwey, and later with current Fellows. The Chief Justice was a Humphrey Fellow at the university in 1997-98.
On Wednesday of his visit, Chief Justice Mzikamanda visited the Minnesota Supreme Court. After a tour of the Judicial Center, he met with Chief Justice Hudson along with Justices Moore and Gaitas. Following that meeting, the two Chief Justices went to the Capitol and continued their discussion of their court systems and the importance of the Rule of Law.
See more here: https://vimeo.com/reviews/d397767b-9880-4a42-a376-26781e5f2ba1/videos/1183529888
The highlight of his trip was a reception held on Friday evening, April 17th at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, featuring as keynote speaker Chief Justice Mzikamanda. His talk focused on the Rule of Law in Malawi, and around the world. Other speakers included Chief Justice Hudson, Judge Blackwell, Kathy Kline of the American Bar Association, Steve Zweber of Thomson Reuters, and others.
Special thank you to the sponsors and supporters of this event! Thomson Reuters, Dorsey law firm, Robins Kaplan law firm, Ciresi Conlin law firm, Henry Bromelkamp, Fredrikson law firm, Haws KM law firm, Maslon law firm, Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, Frank Babka, & Afro Deli!
Chief Justice Mzikamanda has now joined the Advisory Board of our Law & Democracy Initiative. He is the Chairperson of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices Forum, an association of 15 African country's Judiciary and will be promoting our program through that organization and beyond.
Read more here: Malawi chief justice: Defending rule of law ‘comes at a cost’
Click here to read more: https://mshale.com/2026/04/28/malawi-chief-justice-warns-of-global-threats-to-rule-of-law-at-minnesota-event/
Click here to view slideshow from the event:http://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCRrRN