Malawi’s embattled President Bingu wa Mutharika dropped two ministers and appointed three senior opposition leaders in a Cabinet reshuffle announced late on Thursday.
The president’s office said Mutharika had appointed a 36-member Cabinet in which he dropped Health Minister Hetherwick Ntaba and Martin Kansichi, who held the Trade and Private Sector Development portfolio.
Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha, who is charged with treason, has not been included in the Cabinet. Under Malawi’s Constitution, the vice-president is a member of the Cabinet.
One of Africa’s poorest countries, Malawi has been dogged by political infighting as it struggles with serious food shortages that have left almost half of its 11-million people in need of aid.
Mutharika last year faced a bid by the opposition to impeach him but the motion was withdrawn in early January to allow for talks. He has also attracted controversy over the summary sacking of his deputy.
The president also offered junior ministerial positions to two outspoken opposition leaders. Ted Kalebe was named the new Deputy Finance Minister and Bintony Kutsaira was put in charge of agriculture.
The two are senior members of the powerful Malawi Congress Party, which has the largest number of lawmakers in Parliament.
Kalebe has accused Mutharika of using a $50-million loan scheme for poor Malawians to benefit members of his party.
Bob Khamisa, a key figure of the opposition United Democratic Front, has been given the Home Affairs and Internal Security portfolio.
An independent MP, Clement Khembo, is now Minister of Social Development and People with Disabilities. – Sapa-AFP