Newly elected President Peter Mutharika has appointed Enock Chihana as Malawi’s Second Vice President, marking a key move in a broad slate of government and public service appointments announced Sunday by the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).
Chihana is the leader of the Alliance For Democracy, which went into an pact with Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party ahead of last month’s general elections.
The appointments follow Mutharika’s victory in last month’s national elections, which returned him to power on a platform promising institutional reform and economic recovery.
In the new cabinet lineup, George Chaponda takes over as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Mwanamvekha assumes the Finance, Economic Planning and Development portfolio and Alfred Gangata has been named Minister of State.
Key public service positions have also been filled, including the appointment of George Jafu as Chief of Defence for the Malawi Defence Force, Justin Saidi as Chief Secretary to the Government, and Richard Luhanga as Inspector General of Police.
The OPC confirmed that all appointments are effective immediately.
Mutharika took oath as the seventh president of Malawi and Jane Ansah as first vice-president in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
JN/APA