President Arthur Peter Mutharika has directed the country’s intelligence leadership to take a stronger role in protecting Malawi’s mineral resources and tackling related crimes.
Speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during the swearing-in of the new Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), George Blaise Sayenda, Mutharika emphasized the importance of intelligence in maintaining national security.
He highlighted key challenges including mineral smuggling, human trafficking, cybercrime, and money laundering.
The President stressed that Malawi is attracting increasing interest from both legitimate investors and illegal actors seeking to exploit its mineral wealth.
He underscored the need for accurate and reliable intelligence to guide decision-making, while acknowledging that intelligence services have previously been misused for political purposes.
Mutharika also called for stronger coordination among security agencies, urging the NIS to work closely with other departments and ensure intelligence is shared across government institutions for effective action.
“We are in a battle,” he said, warning of widespread smuggling of gold and other minerals.
He instructed intelligence and security agencies to work collaboratively and avoid operating in isolation.
Major General Sayenda’s appointment was approved by the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) in October.
