![]() ![]() Over 80 percent of the population in Malawi is Christian.Ĭhristian leaders in Kenya have also voiced their support, according to a report by Nairobi-based reporter Tom Osanjo for Religion Unplugged.Įdward Munene, head of the International Christian Center in Mombasa, called Chakwera a “focused, wise, eloquent and godly man,” and said, “I believe he will lead this nation as a leader of integrity, leading with wisdom and the humility to take Malawi forward.” It was the first time in Africa that a court-overturned vote resulted in the defeat of an incumbent president.Ĭhakwera taught at the Pan African Theological Seminary and the Assemblies of God School of Theology, where he also served as chair. In the presidential election held last month, following more than a year of political protests, Chakwera won with 58 percent of the vote. The pastor spent more than 20 years as the head of one of the country’s largest denominations, the Assemblies of God, before he entered politics as the Malawi Congress Party leader in 2013. He pledged in his inauguration speech: “With your help we will restore faith in having a government that serves not a government that rules, a government that inspires, not a government that infuriates, a government that listens, not a government that shouts but a government that fights for you and not against you.” The soft-spoken ex-preacher garnered 58.57% of the votes against Mutharika’s 39%.In his second week in office, the new president of Malawi-theologian and former Assemblies of God leader Lazarus Chakwera-has called on the African nation to join in three days of prayer and fasting against the spread of the coronavirus.ĭespite the challenges of the current circumstances, with the pandemic taking a significant economic toll on one of the world’s poorest countries, Christians across the region are hopeful about Chakwera’s leadership. Banda is a centrist in monetary policy circles.Ĭhakwera, 65, defeated former leader Peter Mutharika in June 23 court-sanctioned presidential election re-run. The new leader has also named Wilson Banda as central bank governor replacing Dalitso Kabambo. In the new announcement, Chakwera also fired acting police inspector general Duncan Mwapasa and director general of National Intelligence Service Kenam Kalilani, replacing them with George Kainja and Dokani Ngwira, respectively. The president had initially named five people to Cabinet positions within days of his election. There are also two independent legislators in the new government. The Cabinet composition shows that Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party dominates with 16 party members - 12 full ministers and four deputies - representing 51.6%, while Vice President Saulosi Chilima’s United Transformation Movement has six members: four ministers and two deputies, representing 19.4%. His appointments are less inspiring,” Kaliya told The Nation, a local daily. What is even more saddening is that most women are deputy ministers. “We are deflated that the president has not lived up to the promise of 40% female representation. Gender activist Emma Kaliya also described the Cabinet as a raw deal. “Individuals who have looted before should be investigated and prosecuted, and that new, clean and competent people should lead Malawi,” Chirwa said. He said the new government should have sent a clear message to all and sundry that patronage, corruption and looting will end but to no avail. It is definitely uninspiring, if not disappointing,” said Danwood Chirwa, a Malawian law professor at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. ![]() “The electorate voted for change, but this new Cabinet lacks novelty. The new Cabinet has, however, angered most Malawians who took to social media to express disappointment with the inclusion of old-timers and “corrupt” individuals. The new president of the southeastern African country, who promised 40% female representation and no more than 30 ministers, just narrowly missed his target having appointed 12 female ministers, 38.7% of the Cabinet. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who came into power in June, has also nominated a new police chief, new central bank governor and tax authority head. Malawi’s newly elected president has formed government with the appointment of a 31-member Cabinet. ![]()
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