US embassy cable - 05LILONGWE118

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000118 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR AF/S, INR/AA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, MI, Cabinet, Political 
SUBJECT: MALAWI CABINET RESHUFFLE 
 
REF: LILONGWE 117 
 
President Mutharika fired two ministers and two deputy 
ministers on February 4 and announced a cabinet reshuffle 
(reftel).  The four new members are Gwanda Chakuamba 
(Minister of Agriculture), Martin Kansichi (Minister of 
Trade and Private Sector Development), Charles Thomson 
Mchacha (Deputy Minister of Industry, Science and 
Technology) and Elizabeth Aipira (Deputy Minister of 
Agriculture).   The full new cabinet is as follows: 
 
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence 
Force and Police Service, Minister Responsible for 
Defence, the Civil Service, Statutory Corporations and 
Privatization: Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika 
 
Vice President and Minister Water Development: Dr. Cassim 
Chilumpha (UDF) 
 
Minister of Agriculture: Gwanda Chakuamba - President, 
Republican Party (RP) 
 
Minister of Finance: Goodall Gondwe 
 
Minister of Economic Planning and Development: David 
Faiti, MP - Chikwawa Central (RP) 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Davis Katsonga, MP - Mwanza 
Central (UDF) - formerly Minister of Mines, Natural 
Resources and Environmental Affairs 
 
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs: Henry 
Phoya, MP - Blantyre Rural East (UDF) 
 
Minister of Industry, Science and Technology: Khumbo 
Chirwa, MP - Nkhata Bay Southeast (RP) 
 
Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Uladi 
Mussa, MP - Salima South (UDF) 
 
Minister of Trade and Private Sector Development: Martin 
Kansichi - former President of Malawi Confederation of 
Chambers of Commerce and Industry 
 
Minister of Education: Yusuf Mwawa, MP - Balaka Central 
East (UDF) 
 
Minister of Transport and Public Works: Henry Mussa, MP - 
Chiradzulu East (UDF) 
 
Minister of Lands, Housing and Surveys: Bazuka Mhango, MP 
- Karonga Northwest (RP) 
 
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development: Dr. 
George Chaponda, MP - Mulanje Southwest (UDF) - formerly 
Foreign Affairs Minister 
 
Minister of Information and Tourism: Dr. Ken Lipenga, MP 
- Phalombe East (UDF) 
 
Minister of Labor and Vocational Training: Jaffali Mussa, 
MP - Machinga East (UDF) - formerly Local Government & 
Rural Development Minister 
 
Minister of Health: Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba 
 
Minister of Mines, Natural Resources and Environmental 
Affairs: 
Eunice Kazembe (UDF)-former Minister of Trade and Private 
Sector Development 
 
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture: Henry Chimunthu 
Banda, MP - Nkhotakota North (UDF) 
 
Minister of Women, Child Welfare and Community Services: 
Joyce Banda, MP - Zomba Malosa (UDF) 
 
Minister of Social Development and Persons With 
Disabilities: 
Clement Chiwaya, MP - Mangochi Central (UDF) 
 
Deputy Ministers: 
 
Deputy Minister of Health: Frank Mwenifumbo, MP - Karonga 
Central (AFORD) 
 
Deputy Minister of Education: Anna Kachikho, MP - 
Phalombe North (Independent, but rejoined UDF upon 
election) 
 
Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works: Roy 
Commsy, MP - Thyolo Southwest (UDF) 
 
Deputy Minister of Industry, Science and Technology: 
Charles Thomson Mchacha, MP Thyolo West (UDF - though 
elected on an Independent Ticket) 
 
Deputy Minister of Mines, Natural Resources and 
Environmental Affairs: Mia Mohammed Sidik, MP - Chikwawa 
Nkombezi (UDF) - formerly Deputy Minister of Agriculture 
 
Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural 
Development: Patricia Kaliati, MP - Mulanje West (UDF) 
 
Deputy Minister of Information and Tourism: Henri Mumba, 
MP - Mzimba Hora (MGODE) 
 
Deputy Minister of Agriculture: Elizabeth Aipira, MP 
Mangochi West (UDF - though elected on an Independent 
Ticket) 
GILMOUR