NewKerala.com

Key Points

President Peter Mutharika has begun forming his new administration with several key appointments. He named Enock Chihana as second Vice President, continuing a family political tradition in Malawi. Several ministers from his previous presidency are returning to their former roles, bringing experience to the new government. The cabinet lineup also introduces some new ministerial positions as Mutharika shapes his administration.

Key Points: President Mutharika Announces Partial Malawi Cabinet Lineup

  • Enock Chihana appointed as second Vice President following father's political legacy
  • George Chaponda returns as Foreign Minister in familiar appointment
  • Joseph Mwanamvekha reappointed as finance and economic planning minister
  • New ministerial portfolios created including minister of state position
2 min read

Malawian President Mutharika announces partial line-up of new Cabinet

New Malawian President Peter Mutharika appoints Enock Chihana as second Vice President and reveals key ministerial positions in partial cabinet announcement.

"Chihana becomes the second Malawian to hold the position of second Vice President in the history of the country - Xinhua News Agency"

Lilongwe, Oct 6

Malawi's new President, Peter Mutharika, has released a partial line-up of his Cabinet.

Mutharika, who won the September 16 presidential election and took office on Saturday, appointed Enock Chihana of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) party as second Vice President on Sunday. His running mate during the election, Jane Ansah, is the first Vice President, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Chihana, whose party formed the Blue Alliance with Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the election, becomes the second Malawian to hold the position of second Vice President in the history of the country, after the position was held by his father, Chakufwa Chihana, who founded AFORD and served as second vice president from 1994 to 1996 and again from 2003 to 2004, both under President Bakili Muluzi.

The constitution of Malawi gives the president the mandate to appoint a second Vice President, but other than Bakili Muluzi and Peter Mutharika, no other President had ever appointed a second Vice President.

Mutharika also appointed veteran DPP member George Chaponda as Foreign Minister, and Joseph Mwanamvekha as minister of finance, economic planning and development.

Both Chaponda and Mwanamvekha had served in the same respective ministerial positions before, during Peter Mutharika's first presidency, from 2014 to 2020.

Former defense deputy commander George Jaffu was appointed as chief of the Malawi Defence Force, while retired secretary for information Justin Saidi was appointed as Chief Secretary, with Stuart Ligomeka, a former Secretary for local government, as his deputy.

The new President also appointed DPP Vice President for the Central Region Alfred Gangata as minister of state, a new ministerial portfolio.

Kiswell Dakamau, who served in a number of different senior positions before, including secretary for education and Deputy Director for local government, was appointed as Director of state residences, another new portfolio.

The Malawian leader also appointed police commissioner Richard Luhanga as Police Inspector General.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Bringing back old ministers like Chaponda and Mwanamvekha shows Mutharika prefers experienced hands. In India too, we often see familiar faces in new cabinets. Experience matters!
A
Arjun K
Creating new ministerial portfolios like 'minister of state' and 'Director of state residences' seems like expanding bureaucracy. Malawi should focus on development rather than creating more positions. Hope they deliver for their people.
S
Sarah B
Good to see a woman as first Vice President! Jane Ansah's appointment is progressive. More countries need gender-balanced leadership. 👏
V
Vikram M
The appointment of police commissioner as Inspector General immediately after taking office shows priority on law and order. Every new government needs to establish control quickly. Wishing Malawi stability and progress!
M
Michael C
Interesting constitutional provision allowing second Vice President appointments. Not many countries have this flexibility. Shows how different democracies evolve their own systems based on local needs.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50