President Peter Mutharika’s recent appointment of Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) leader Enock Chihana as Second Vice President has stirred a wave of mixed reactions across legal, political, and governance circles.

While legal and political science bodies have endorsed the appointment as constitutionally sound, governance experts have raised concerns over the role’s effectiveness, describing the move as largely symbolic and politically motivated.

The appointment, announced Sunday as part of a partial cabinet list, fulfills a campaign promise Mutharika made to incorporate Chihana and AFORD into his administration.

Francis Mmame, Honorary Secretary of the Malawi Law Society, affirmed that the President acted within the bounds of the Constitution.

“The decision aligns with Section 80, subsection 5 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint a Second Vice President,” said Mmame.

Mabvuto Bamusi, Publicity Secretary for the Political Science Association, echoed the legality of the appointment and highlighted potential political benefits.

“This could foster stronger cooperation between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and AFORD,” Bamusi said. “It may help broaden the base of political consensus within the administration.”

However, not everyone is optimistic.

Governance analyst Latim Matenje has criticized the move as a form of political appeasement with limited practical impact.

“This appointment is unlikely to bring meaningful change. It’s a symbolic gesture at best, and Malawians should temper their expectations regarding what this office can realistically achieve,” said Matenje.

The Second Vice Presidency is not new in Malawi’s political history. The position was first introduced under President Bakili Muluzi’s administration, with Enock Chihana’s father, the late Chakufwa Chihana, serving as the inaugural officeholder -a development that adds a layer of historical irony to the current appointment.