By Bashir Amin
Barely two days after making a historic and bold announcement that secondary education will be free for all beginning January, President Arthur Peter Mutharika has once again proven that he is a man of his word. Amid cheers and applause at the recent Mulhakho wa Alhomwe Annual Cultural Festival, the Head of State reaffirmed his commitment to transformative governance — and now, he has gone a step further to honor his alliance pledge.
In a landmark ceremony, President Mutharika officially inaugurated Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) President, Enock Kanzingeni Chihana, as Malawi’s Second Vice President, fulfilling the much-anticipated clause of the Blue Alliance agreement.
Chihana thus becomes only the second person to hold this office, following in the footsteps of his late father and democracy icon, Thom Chakufwa Chihana, who served as the country’s first Second Vice President under President Bakili Muluzi’s administration.
The youthful and vibrant leader, fondly known as Simbi Yamoto, took his oath of office alongside two newly appointed cabinet ministers, among them Rosa Mbilizi, who has made history as Malawi’s first woman to lead the Ministry of Agriculture.
Chihana’s swearing-in not only puts to rest weeks of speculation and unfounded rumors about cracks within the ruling alliance but also underscores President Mutharika’s firm resolve to unite the nation. It reaffirms the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between the Blue Alliance partners, whose shared vision is to steer Malawi toward renewed growth, stability, and prosperity.
In recent weeks, social media had been awash with baseless stories suggesting a potential fallout between the two leaders — stories that have now been rendered meaningless. President Mutharika, fondly referred to as Adadi by many Malawians, has once again shown that he is not a man of rhetoric but of action. Rather than rushing, he chose prudence and order, ensuring that the structures of government were properly aligned before
proceeding with the official inauguration.
As many may not have realized, the President had a constitutional window of 21 days from the date of Chihana’s appointment to conduct the swearing-in — a period well within the bounds of due process. The public anxiety and political speculation, therefore, were unwarranted.
Speaking at his Sunnyside residence shortly after taking the oath, Chihana thanked the President for his trust and confidence, describing their relationship as “cordial and robust.” Surrounded by jubilant AFORD supporters dressed in the party’s colorful regalia, the new Second Vice President dismissed all rumors of tension as “malicious and baseless,” assuring Malawians that he had been actively engaging with the President and contributing to national plans even before his formal inauguration.
“I have been in constant communication with His Excellency the President. We have been working together in the spirit of partnership and service to the nation,” Chihana emphasized.
With this milestone, the dust has settled. The critics have been silenced. Malawi now moves forward with a strengthened leadership team — solid, united, and determined to deliver on the promises made to the people.
Barely a month after the September 16 electoral victory, Malawians are already witnessing visible changes and renewed energy within government. President Mutharika’s actions continue to reflect his guiding principle — that leadership is not about words, but deeds.
Indeed, President Arthur Peter Mutharika is a man of his word, and the nation watches with growing optimism as his administration sets the stage for a new era of unity, progress, and inclusive development.
