MULUZI TWEAKS CABINET BEFORE ELECTIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000155 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MI SUBJECT: MULUZI TWEAKS CABINET BEFORE ELECTIONS REF: A. LILONGWE 149 ¶B. 03 LILONGWE 1202 ¶1. (U) After dissolving his 45-member Cabinet two days earlier, President Muluzi appointed a largely unchanged Cabinet on February 24. Amid the re-shuffle, what changes were made reflect the ruling United Democratic Front's (UDF) tweakings to position the party for May's elections. COMMENT -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Other than sidetracking a government already distracted by the May elections, the changes Muluzi made to the Cabinet will have little effect on our dealings with the GOM, as most of the key ministers have remained the same. It appears Muluzi was merely tweaking his Cabinet to prepare for the May elections. All but one of the people dropped from Cabinet lost primaries in their parliamentary districts, and many of the newly appointed members come from key opposition areas. For example, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Charles Kasunda is the MP from estranged Vice President Justin Malewezi's parliamentary district, and Minister of State for Statutory Corporations Rapheal Mhone is from the same district as Mgwirizano Coalition running mate (and former UDF stalwart) Aleke Banda. END COMMENT. ¶3. (U) Changes to the Cabinet are as follows. Minister of Labor: Bob Khamisa, MP Minister of State for Statutory Corporations: Raphael Mhone (new to Cabinet) Minister of Privatization: Henry Phoya, MP Minister of Information: Henderson Mabeti, MP Minister of State for Poverty and Disaster Management: Bernard Chisale, MP Minister of Sports, Youth, and Culture: Phillip Bwanali, MP Deputy Minister of Finance: Henry Midiani, MP Deputy Minister of Health: Sebastian Chikhadza, MP (new to Cabinet) Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Charles Kasunda, MP (new to Cabinet) Deputy Minister of State for Poverty and Disaster Management: James Luwe, MP (AFORD) Deputy Minister of Water Development: Nicholas Kachingwe, MP (new to Cabinet) Deputy Minister of Tourism, Parks, and Wildlife: Joe Kawenga, MP (Independent) (new to Cabinet) ¶4. (U) The remainder of the Cabinet members, who were reappointed to their previous positions, is as follows: Second Vice-President and Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Food Security: Chakufwa Chihana, MP (AFORD) Minister of Economic Planning and Development: Bingu wa Mutharika Attorney General: Peter Fachi Minister of Commerce and Industry: Sam Mpasu, MP Minister of Defense: Rodwell Munyenyembe Minister of Water Development: Dumbo Lemani, MP Minister of Education, Science, and Technology: George Nga Mtafu, MP Minister of Finance: Friday Jumbe Minister of Housing: S. D. Kaliyoma Phumisa, MP Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Lilian Patel, MP Minister of Lands, Physical Planning, and Surveys: Thengo Maloya, MP Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs: Uladi Mussa, MP Minister of State in the President's Office Responsible for Presidential Affairs: Ken Lipenga, MP Minister of Health and Population: Yusuf Mwawa, MP Minister of Transport and Public Works: Clement Stambuli, MP Minister of State in the President's Office Responsible for HIV/AIDS Programmes: Mary Kaphwereza Banda, MP Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Monjeza Maluza, MP Minister of Justice: Paul Maulidi, MP Minister of Gender and Community Services: Alice Sumani, MP Minister of State in the President's Office Responsible for Persons with Disabilities: Susan Chitimbe Minister of Tourism, Parks, and Wildlife: Wallace Chiume, MP (AFORD) Minister of State for Local Government and District Administration: Salim Bagus, MP Minister Without Portfolio: Chipimpha Mughogho, MP (AFORD) Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Technology: Lyana Lexa Tambala, MP Deputy Minister in President's Office Responsible for National Public Events: Patricia Kaliyati, MP Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs: Martha Nasho, MP Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Henry Chimunthu Banda, MP Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works: James Chikwenga, MP Deputy Minister of Lands, Physical Planning, and Surveys: Hobbson D. Mailosi, MP Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry: Tarsizio Yetala, MP Deputy Minister of Agricultural, Irrigation, and Food Security: Henry Mussa, MP Deputy Minister of Economic Planning and Development: Khwauli Msiska, MP (AFORD) BROWNING