Malawi govt removes VP Chilima on protocol list: Goodall ‘acting president’

Malawi government has removed Vice-President Saulos Chilima on protocol list as observed on Wednesday in official communication  on the departure of President Peter Mutharika to Zambia for Comesa summit and the second-in-command conspicuously missed at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe as Mutharika left the country.

Gondwe is second in command in the DPP led govenrment
President Mutharika bids farewell to Gondwe
Goodall Gondwe (centre) left in control
Goodbye and happy birthday! First Lady and top government officials wave Mutharika on departure for Lusaka.- Photo by Lisa Kadango, mana

The vice president’s press office could not say why Chilima was not at the airport to see his boss off as has been the case in the past foreign trips of the President.

But the two top citizens have had a strenuous relationship since Chilima openly wanted to challenge the President at the recent [July 1-3]  Democratic Progressive Party  (DPP) convention.

Chilima withdrew his candidature for the party presidency after his supporters were harassed and tortured by notorious DPP cadets sent by senior party officials on a move to deter him from running for the top job.

At the airport, 82 year old Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe dismissed the military parade when the President jetted, an indication that he is now an acting president.

Mutharika is expected back in the country on Thursday but lawyers say it is unconstitutional to delegate presidential jobs to a cabinet minister when there is a vice president who should take over the presidential jobs when the head of state is not in the country.

The First Lady Getrude Mutharika has also remained behind.

The development comes after Mutharika on Friday directed that the Department of Disaster Management Affairs and National Public Events, previously under the office of Vice-President Saulos Chilima, to be under the Office of President and Cabinet.

This is the second time Mutharika has stripped Chilima of a portfolio. Last year, he transferred the Public Sector Reforms Programme (PSRP) from Chilima’s office to OPC at a time many people thought the reforms were working better under the Vice-President’s watch.

In a statement communicating the transfer of Dodma to OPC, Chief Secretary to Government Lloyd Muhara also said Mutharika has exercised his constitutional powers.

Chilima has publicly expressed dismay over growing levels of corruption in government, deteriorating standards of living among Malawians and hooliganism orchestrated by the ruling DPP youth cadets.

The vice president who dumped the DPP has also hinted at challenging Mutharika in next year’s Tripartite Elections.

Chilima is set to launch a United Transformation Movement (UTM) in Lilongwe on Saturday.

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Simon Golomani
Simon Golomani
5 years ago

No matter how many people would back this move by ALL but it is unconstitutional. If APM dies today Gudo can’t ascend to presidency. It is SKC who would take over

Mphanje
Mphanje
5 years ago

Why are we still paying Chilima’s salary. If Chilima is a man of good conscious then he should just resign as Vice President otherwise we are paying for doing nothing. This man Chilima is fooling Malawians he is just power hungry!!!!

President Mkango Lion Manthakanjenjemereza
President Mkango Lion Manthakanjenjemereza
5 years ago

In Malawi, if we want to change for the better, it is better to have functional Prime MInister, who heads the govt and president who head the state, otherwise the relevance of VP is not there. Goodall watch out when the president and vice are querrelling. Dont you remember Treason case during the era of Joyce Banda.

DPP
DPP
5 years ago

Where is Democracy? Let’s look back at David Cameron and Nick Cregg. They didn’t agree in many things but they still worked together for the good of their people. Here we see the fruits of anger, hatred, resentment. What’s wrong with Chilima doing what he believes it’s better for the Country. Mr President I expected you to show maturity not fueling enemity. Chilima still remains our VP constitutionally. God forbid if anything happened to you Chilima will automatically take over not GG. Your lack of judgement and immaturity will cost u the votes. You seem to be a person full… Read more »

Zawe
Zawe
5 years ago
Reply to  DPP

You are showing ignorance. David Cameron and Nick Clegg were in a coalition government. Their parties, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have different policies. They had a binding agreement to work together – to agree to disagree sometimes. APM and Chilima were in the same party. And by the way, the UK has a parliamentary system not presidential system. Its annoying when people give examples out of ignorance.

A Few Good Men
A Few Good Men
5 years ago

Once Chilima becomes president, he will marry our wifes and girl friends.

Bwanoni
5 years ago

How can people with different agenda work together? The only problem Malawian youths are too hasty and thirsty for power.

Noxyy
Noxyy
5 years ago
Reply to  Bwanoni

Zoonadi Bwanoni you are such a star 299 percent correct observation.malawi youths patience njeee.within 2years as vice president already kuyambitsa underground movement kuti akhale president

#DzukaniAmalawi
#DzukaniAmalawi
5 years ago

This is expected and shouldn’t be news at all. What is of interest Peter’s choice of “Acting President”. Gondwe might just be the running mate. That would be very interesting……..The golden Oldies running a country of a young population just to take them to the grave. These old people can’t even imagine what the world will be like in 20 years.

Mulopwana
Mulopwana
5 years ago

A Chilima is just power hungry. One day his private affairs will be put on the microscope that is when people will know who he is – one who cant be trusted.

ANANVERUWA AKUMALOWA
ANANVERUWA AKUMALOWA
5 years ago

A GOODALL KULIRA NDI MTIMA UKU NDIPO MUKUNAMIZANA HEAVY CHILIMATU NDI VICE PRESIDENT NDIPO DZIKO PANO LATSALA M’MANJA MWACHE TINAKUVOTERANI NONSE AWIRI OSATI CHI NKHALAMBA CHA NZIBWANO ZITATU CHO AYI

Atumbuka Woyyeeeee!!!!!
Atumbuka Woyyeeeee!!!!!
5 years ago

Mwaonatu panopa Dziko Lili Mmanja mwa atumbuka, al zinthu zayamaba kuyenda bwino. dzuwa latuluka Forex yayamba kupezeka . mayeso asiya kuoneredwa , cashgate yatha , mankhwala ayamaba kuppezeka mu zipatala ma albino asiya kuphedwa magetsi akuyaka mosalekeza

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