US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE652

C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000652 
 
SIPDIS 
 
HARARE FOR LTC HAMPTON 
GABORONE FOR MAJOR OVERFIELD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2014 
TAGS: MARR, MCAP, PINR, PREL, PGOV, MI, Defense/Security 
SUBJECT: FORMER DEPUTY COMMANDER BECOMES MILITARY COMMANDER 
 
REF: HARARE ZI 861 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Peter W. Lord, reasons 1.5 (b/d). 
 
1. (U) The Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) announced on 
July 12 that with immediate effect Deputy Commander Lt. 
General Marko Chiziko will succeed General Joseph Chimbayo as 
Commander of the Malawi Defense Force (MDF).  According to 
the OPC statement, Chimbayo's contract finished last month, 
after five years of service as the military's Commander. 
(Biographical information on Chiziko to follow septel.) 
 
2. (SBU) Officials at the MDF told poloff that Chimbayo has 
decided to retire from military service, rather than take 
another civilian position in government as previous 
Commanders have done.  Although the change of command took 
effect immediately, the MDF plans to have an official 
hand-over ceremony in the coming weeks. 
 
COMMENT 
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3. (C) Chiziko is a seasoned and intelligent officer, and the 
MDF has profited from his leadership as Deputy Commander over 
the past five years.  Very supportive of the USG's military 
programs in Malawi, Chiziko was a driving force behind the 
MDF's participation in ACRI and ACOTA.  In addition, he has 
dedicated a great deal of time and energy to integrating 
HIV/AIDS care and prevention into the MDF's regular training 
programs.  The USG's close relations with the MDF will 
strengthen under Chiziko's leadership as Commander. 
 
4. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED.  Although Chimbayo's contract may 
not have been extended because of his lack of overt support 
for the ruling party during the elections (reftel), the fact 
that his successor comes from within the ranks demonstrates 
the MDF's general apolitical stance and professionalism. 
With the new Deputy Commander yet to be appointed, we 
anticipate a shuffling of senior positions at the MDF.  END 
COMMENT. 
RASPOLIC