According to The Nation, President Peter Mutharika has restructured his cabinet by splitting the Ministry of Energy and Mining into two separate portfolios. Following the change, Jean Mathanga has been appointed to lead the Ministry of Energy, while former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Thoko Tembo takes charge of the Ministry of Mining. Chief Secretary Justin Saidi announced the appointments and stated that the decision does not expand the overall size of the Cabinet. Political analysts and civil society leaders have offered mixed reactions. Some commentators welcomed the specialized focus for each sector, while others questioned whether the decision aligns with the government's previous pledges on fiscal discipline.
In a separate political development, Nyasa Times reports that President Mutharika has increasingly delegated key state duties to Cabinet ministers rather than his deputies. Both First Vice President Jane Ansah and Second Vice President Enoch Chihana have been notably absent from recent high-profile national events. Cabinet ministers have recently represented the president at official gatherings such as the Kamuzu Day and Martyrs Day commemorations. The ongoing trend has prompted public debate regarding the current roles and influence of the vice presidents within the executive branch.