By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Barely 24 hours after his inauguration as Malawi’s President for a second term, Peter Mutharika has set up partial cabinet, naming his appointees during his first term as figures who will assist in tackling the nation’s sever economic challenges.
The presidency in a statement has confirmed key appointments crucial in rebuilding the economic strength of the Southern African nation.
While an economist and former banker Joseph Mwanamvekha has been reappointed as Finance Minister, a role he held from 2016 to 2020, George Chaponda also returns as Minister of Foreign Affairs, indicating continuity in foreign policy.
Similarly, Mutharika has also named Enock Chihana of the Alliance for Democracy the Second Vice President, aiming to build on the electoral alliance that brought him to power.
In the security sector, he named Lt. Gen. George Jafu as head of the Malawi Defence Force and while Richard Luhanga was as the new police chief.
Their appointments come with a charge to address Malawi’s deepening economic crisis. The new Finance Minister, Mwanamvekha, is confronted with long list of challenges, including acute foreign exchange shortages, rampant fuel scarcity free fall of the local currency.
These challenges have led to soaring living costs and a constrained business environment, presenting the most urgent test for Mutharika’s administration as it works to stabilize the economy.
The immediacy in setting up the cabinet follows Mutharika’s landslide electoral victory last month, which marked a dramatic political comeback after he lost the presidency in 2020.
The 85-year-old professor of law defeated the incumbent Lazaraus Chakwera who conceded defeat before final announcement of results.
