Order of the Lion (Malawi)
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| Order of the Lion | |
|---|---|
Awarded by  Malawi | |
| Type | Order of Merit |
| Ribbon | Red with gold stripes |
| Awarded for | Distinguished and outstanding service to the people of Malawi |
| Status | Obsolete |
| Grades | Grand Commander Grand Officer Commander Officer Member Medal |
 Ribbon bar of the order | |
The Order of the Lion was, at one point, the highest state order, and the second highest honour bestowed by the government of Malawi.
The order was established by President Hastings Kamuzu Banda in 1967. It was the second highest honour to be bestowed by the government of the Republic of Malawi under Hastings Banda's presidential dictatorship (1966-94).[1] The order consisted of five classes plus a medal, to be awarded "For distinguished and outstanding services to the people of Malawi".[2]
Banda announced the creation of the order, as well as a number of other new awards, in July 1966, as Malawi was declared a republic.[3] The announcement was given at Zomba, the capital of Malawi at the time.
Malawian civilians, military personnel, and foreigners were all eligible to receive the Order of the Lion. However, in 2008, after three years of deliberation, the Malawian government decided to deactivate the order. Appointees, however, were still permitted to wear the insignia corresponding to their grade.[4]
