A statement from the Office of the President and Cabinet-OPC says the constitution of the council follows the launch of the National Security Policy by His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika in Lilongwe on 6th March.

The statement further says the National Security Council will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the national security policy and will among other things make recommendations to the cabinet on matters relating to defence and security in the country.

The council will be chaired by the President…its members are the Vice President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the Minister of Home Affairs and International Security and the Deputy Minister of Defence.

The Chief Secretary to the Government, the Commander of the Malawi Defense Force; the Inspector General of Police, the Director of Intelligence Bureau and the Attorney General are Ex-officio members while the National Security Advisor is the Secretary of the Council.