By Burnett Munthali
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has called on the government to publicly explain reports that First Vice-President Jane Ansah was not invited to a Cabinet meeting that was chaired by Second Vice-President Enock Chihana.
HRDC Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa made the demand through a formal letter, arguing that the reported development raises serious constitutional concerns and requires clarification from government authorities.
Kaiyatsa said the alleged exclusion of the First Vice-President appears to contradict the constitutional framework governing the composition and operations of Cabinet.
He pointed to Section 92(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which recognizes the Vice-President as a member of Cabinet and therefore entitled to participate in Cabinet proceedings.
According to HRDC, Cabinet membership is a constitutional responsibility and not a matter that depends on personal invitation or administrative discretion.
The organization further highlighted Section 92(3), which provides guidance on who should preside over Cabinet meetings when the President is unavailable.
Under the constitutional arrangement, the First Vice-President is expected to assume the responsibility of chairing Cabinet in the temporary absence of the President.
The Second Vice-President can only take over that role when both the President and First Vice-President are unavailable, according to the constitutional order cited by HRDC.
Kaiyatsa argued that all officials entitled to attend Cabinet meetings must be properly informed and invited through the appropriate government channels.
He said the reported failure to invite the First Vice-President raises questions about whether established constitutional procedures were followed.
HRDC has therefore urged government to provide a clear explanation on the circumstances surrounding the Cabinet meeting and clarify whether the constitutional requirements were respected.
The controversy has sparked wider public debate over executive authority, the role of Vice-Presidents and the importance of protecting constitutional processes in Malawi’s governance system.
The organization maintains that transparency and adherence to the Constitution are essential to maintaining public confidence in state institutions.
