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