Chakwera replaces Nundwe with PV Phiri as Malawi Army Commander

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has appointed Lt General Paul Valentino Phiri as Malawi Defence Force’s (MDF) new Commander.

Phiri has replaced Vincent Nundwe as army chief.

In an appointing letter made available to The Maravi Post signed by Secretary to The President and Cabinet (SPC) Collen Zamba, says Phiri’s appointment is with immediate effect.

“In exercise of the powers vested in him under Section 161(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force, has appointed Lt. General Paul Valentino Phiri as the Commander of the Malawi Defence Force, and has promoted him to the rank of General with immediate effect,” reads the letter in part.

Until his appointment, Phiri was deputy Army Commander.

After winning the presidential elections in 2020, Chakwera recalled back Nundwe after former leader Peter Mutharika fired him for deploying troops to safeguard protestors during the 2019-2020 anti-government demonstrations.

Nundwe’s contract which expired in June 2023, has never been renewed hence Phiri’s promotion.

Lloyd M’bwana

I’m a Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR)’s Environmental Science graduate (Malawi) and UK’s ICM Journalism and Media studies scholar. Also University of Malawi (UNIMA) Library Science Scholar. I have been The Malawi Country Manager and duty editor for the Maravi Post since 2019. My duty editor’s job is to ensure that the news is covered properly, that it is delivered on time, and that it is created to the standards set out in the editorial guidelines of the Maravi Post.