Meet newly appointed Malawi Army Commander George Alexander Jafu

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President Peter Mutharika on Sunday night, October 5, 2025 appointed Lieutenant General George Alexander Jafu as Malawi Defence Force (MDF) commander taking the title, “Chief Defence”.

Jafu replaces Valentino Phiri who is originally from the lakeshore district of Mangochi.

Who is Jafu?

He was appointed Deputy Commander in May 2024, being promoted from Major General to Lieutenant General.

Jafu joined the MDF in 1988 and over his career has held positions such as Inspector General, Chief of Staff at Joint Headquarters, and Military Adviser to Malawi’s UN mission in New York.

He is credited with obtaining a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management from Derby University, UK, and having undergone various military courses including joint operations planning and UN military observer training.

The Chief Defence Jafu was born on 19 November 1962, and comes from Mpondasi Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi District.

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.