Lilongwe — President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has announced a new set of cabinet and senior government appointments, marking the first wave of administrative changes since his return to office following the 2025 general elections.

According to a statement released by the Office of the President and Cabinet and signed by Chief Secretary Dr. Maxwell S. Tsitsi, the appointments take immediate effect.

The list includes several high-profile figures from Malawi’s political and administrative landscape. Right Honourable Enock Kanzingeni Chihana has been appointed Second Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, while Honourable George Chaputala Chaponda, M.P., takes up the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Former Finance Minister Honourable Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, M.P., returns to government as Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, and Honourable Alfred Ruwan Gangata has been named Minister of State.

In the defence and security sector, Lieutenant General George Alexander Jafu has been appointed Chief of Defence, Malawi Defence Force, while Mr. Richard Chakupaleza Chikoko Luhanga becomes the Inspector General of Police. He will be deputized by Mr. Stain Bamusi Chaima (Deputy Inspector General of Operations) and Mr. Mlowoka Noel Kaira (Deputy Inspector General of Administration).

Other key appointments include Dr. Justin Sadack K. Saidi as Chief Secretary, Mr. Stuart Naison Medison Ligomeka as Deputy Chief Secretary, and Mr. Kiswell Dakamau as Director of State Residences.

The appointments, the statement notes, are effective immediately, signaling President Mutharika’s intent to swiftly consolidate his new administration and set the tone for his government’s agenda.

The announcement comes just days after Mutharika’s inauguration at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, where he called for national unity, peace, and collective action to advance Malawi’s socio-economic development.