July 31 (Xinhua) -- Malawi President Peter Mutharika Saturday sacked army chief, General Ignacio Maulana, replacing him with his deputy, Lieutenant Griffin Supuni-Phiri, who has since been promoted to the rank of General.

Maulana has since been redeployed to head the country's food reserve agency.

Malawi Secretary to the State and Government, George Mkondiwa, told the local media that Maulana would be responsible for the overall security of food reserves across the country.

Mkondiwa said the redeployment of Maulana was aimed at ensuring maximum security of the food reserves which are currently being restocked to abate the hunger experienced in the country due to poor rain pattern during the past growing season.

Maulana replaced General Henry Odillo whom President Mutharika fired in 2014 upon assuming power.

Meanwhile, commentators have faulted Maulana's redeployment saying security of food reserves could best be handled by any high ranking officer from the Malawi Police Service and not the whole army general.

The new General of the Malawi Defense Force, General Supuni-Phiri takes command of the country's army with immediate effect, according to State and Government Secretary's statement.

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Xinhua News Agency

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