Malawi's new President Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday reappointed an army general sacked by his predecessor after his troops protected demonstrators contesting the former leader's controversial re-election.

Rolling anti-government protests gripped Malawi after former president Peter Mutharika secured a disputed second term in May last year.

Some ensuing demonstrations ended in violent clashes with police, prompting Malawi Defence Force head Vincent Nundwe to deploy the army and restore order.

A court later annulled Mutharika's re-election over evidence of fraud and Chakwera won fresh polls in June.

Nundwe was sacked ahead of the vote rerun as part of a wider move by Mutharika to get rid of his perceived enemies.

Chakwera reappointed the general to his position on Tuesday, claiming Mutharika had made "improper" use of his powers "without cause".

"I have therefore redeployed general Nundwe back to the position of commander of the Malawi Defence Force with immediate effect," said the president during an address to the nation.

"In doing this, my purpose is to heal the injury and injustice of an unfair decision inflicted on our entire military."

Mutharika replaced the army chief four times after his first election in 2014.

Nundwe was appointed commander in June 2019 and subsequently praised by the opposition for his handling of the anti-Mutharika protests.

At the time, Nundwe stated that his priority would be ensure Malawi remained "sovereign as well as peaceful".

The army "stood up to their billing and reputation as one of the most professional armies in Africa and the world," opposition candidate and current vice-president Saulos Chilima told AFP earlier this year.

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