Anglican Church Blocks Sale of Likoma Island

The Anglican Church of Malawi has blocked the government’s plans to sell Likoma Island, citing ownership claims over more than 80% of the land. According to Malawi News, the church has a long history on the island, dating back to the arrival of Dr. David Livingstone and the establishment of the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa (UMCA) under the auspices of Oxford, Durham, and Cambridge Universities.

The church built the iconic St. Peter’s Cathedral, a magnificent structure reminiscent of similar architecture in the UK. The sale of the island, which was intended to go to a business mogul for the development of a casino, has been halted pending further consultations and talks between the religious community, locals, and the government.

If the deal were to proceed, Malawi would be home to a world-class casino, potentially boosting the tourism sector. However, the Anglican Church’s ownership claims and concerns from the local community have put the sale on hold for now.