By Suleman Chitera

President Arthur Peter Mutharika has won praise from many Malawians for demonstrating true national leadership through his balanced approach in appointing top security officials. Unlike past trends where appointments seemed concentrated in one region, Mutharika has shown fairness by picking leaders from different parts of the country.

In his latest appointments, the new Inspector General of Police hails from Rumphi in the Northern Region, while the new Commander of the Malawi Defence Force comes from Mangochi in the Southern Region. This regional diversity has been widely welcomed as a sign of inclusive governance and national unity.

Observers have noted that Mutharika’s decision stands in contrast to how President Lazarus Chakwera made several appointments during his tenure, which critics said favored individuals from a single region. Many Malawians believe Mutharika’s approach sends a strong message that every citizen — regardless of region — has equal opportunity to serve the nation at the highest level.

Political analysts argue that such balanced appointments not only promote peace and unity but also rebuild public confidence in government institutions. Regional inclusivity in top positions helps strengthen Malawi’s democratic values and ensures that all areas feel represented in matters of national importance.

With this move, Mutharika has positioned himself as a unifying leader who values merit and fairness over favoritism — a quality many say the country needs to heal past divisions and move forward together.