Malawi faces constitutional dispute as First Vice President Jane Ansah is bypassed in cabinet and SADC delegation

President Peter Mutharika delegated a cabinet meeting in Lilongwe to Second Vice‑President Enoch Chihana, while First Vice‑President Jane Ansah was excluded despite being in the country. Constitutional lawyers argue the move may breach Section 92(3) of Malawi’s Constitution, which gives the First Vice‑President precedence in acting for the President. Civil‑society groups such as the Human Rights Defenders Coalition have called for an explanation of the sidelining.

The delegation pattern continues at the regional level: Chihana will represent Malawi at the 46th SADC Summit in Durban, marking the third occasion he has substituted for the president. Observers note that his frequent selection over Ansah raises questions about the executive’s allocation of duties and the constitutional basis for such arrangements.

Government officials maintain that the President’s authority under Section 89(6) permits these assignments, but no detailed public statement has been issued to clarify the rationale behind preferring the Second Vice‑President for high‑profile representational duties.