- An unexpected cabinet reshuffle in Zambia leaves the country’s seven-months appointed Health Minister, Angela Cifre, in the cold.
The government has not defended the reasons for the move. Her sacking was contained in a terse official statement which states thus: “President Mwanawasa has dropped minister of health Angela Cifire and promoted two deputy ministers to full cabinet portfolios in a cabinet reshuffle.
President Levy Mwanawasa replaces Ms Cifre by Brian Chituwo – the Minister of Science and Technology. Mr Chituwo had previously held the position.
The former Transport Minister, Peter Daka, fills the shoes of Mr Chituwo.
Mike Mulongoti and Patricia Mulasikwanda – the deputy Ministers of Ministers of Foreign and Youth and Child Development – have been promoted to lead the Ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Gender and Women in Development.
Patricia Mulasikwanda replaces Sarah Sayfwanda who now becomes the Transport Minister.
Most Zambians wonder what might have warranted the sacking of Ms Cifre who was committed to the fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS, despite her short stint in office. Since he won his second year term in office, Ms Cifre has become the third Health Minister to be fired by Mr Mwanawasa.
It is reported that one out of five Zambians is HIV positive.
Earlier this month, the Zambian leader fired Vemon Mwaanga, the Information Minister. In February, he sacked the Lands Minister Gladys Nyirongo, after she was accused of being corrupt.
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