President Lazarus Chakwera has re-deployed General Vincent Nundwe to the position of Commander of the Malawi Defence Forces (MDF).

In his national address on Tuesday, Chakwera said Gen Nundwe has been re-deployed with immediate effect.

Chakwera said Gen Nundwe was fired unfairly and unjustifiably by former President Peter Mutharika.

“Although the former president had ultimate responsibility for the Malawi Defence Forces as Commander In-Chief and was vested with powers of appointment pursuant to section 78 subsection 1, section 89 subsection 1, paragraph D and section 161 subsections 1 and 2 of the Constitution it was improper to use such powers without cause,” he said

Chakwera said he has made the decision to heal the injustice of unfair decision inflicted on the military as a professional institution.

He said he will convene the military council to discuss appointment of new MDF deputy commander and others.

Nundwe was fired in March this year alongside his deputy Clement Namangale and was replaced by Major General Peter Namathanga and Davies Mtachi ahead of a presidential re-run following the annulment of May 2019 presidential poll.

Nundwe was deployed to the public service in a move widely believed to have been politically motivated.

During historical street protests against the outcome of May 2019 polls, General Nundwe declared that his priority was to ensure that Malawi is sovereign as well as peaceful.