BLANTYRE, Malawi – In one of his first major acts as head of state, Malawi’s newly inaugurated President Peter Mutharika has released a partial lineup of his Cabinet, a move headlined by the historic appointment of Enock Chihana as the country’s Second Vice President.
The announcement, made on Sunday, solidifies key alliances and brings back experienced hands to lead the Southern African nation. Mutharika, who won the September 16 presidential election and took office on Saturday, is moving swiftly to establish his administration.
The most symbolic appointment is that of Enock Chihana of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) party. This position makes Chihana the second Malawian to hold the office of Second Vice President in the country’s history, a role previously held by his own father, the late Chakufwa Chihana.
The elder Chihana, a veteran pro-democracy activist who founded AFORD, served as Second Vice President under President Bakili Muluzi from 1994 to 1996 and again from 2003 to 2004. The appointment of his son underscores the continuing political alliance between Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and AFORD, which formed the “Blue Alliance” during the election.
Malawi’s constitution grants the president the power to appoint a Second Vice President, but the position has been sparingly used. Only Presidents Bakili Muluzi and now Peter Mutharika have ever exercised this mandate. Jane Ansah, Mutharika’s running mate in the election, serves as the First Vice President.
Beyond the vice presidency, President Mutharika is leaning on veteran politicians who served during his first term from 2014 to 2020. He has reappointed George Chaponda as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Joseph Mwanamvekha as Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development. Both men bring continuity and familiarity with the DPP’s economic and diplomatic agendas.
The new administration has also filled critical security and administrative posts. Former defense deputy commander George Jaffu was appointed as Chief of the Malawi Defense Force, while retired Secretary for Information Justin Saidi is the new Chief Secretary to the Government. Stuart Ligomeka, a former secretary for local government, will serve as his deputy.
In a move to strengthen the executive office, Mutharika created two new portfolios. DPP Vice President for the Central Region, Alfred Gangata, was appointed as Minister of State. Kiswell Dakamau, who has held several senior government positions, was named Director of State Residences.
To lead the national police force, Police Commissioner Richard Luhanga was elevated to the role of Inspector General of Police.
This partial cabinet lineup signals Mutharika’s intent to blend political alliance-building with experienced governance as he begins his new term. Further cabinet appointments are expected to be announced in the coming days.
*Caption: In this file photo from October 4, 2025, Enock Chihana (C) attends the inauguration ceremony of newly-elected Malawian President Peter Mutharika in Blantyre, Malawi. Chihana was appointed as Second Vice President on Sunday.*
