In brief
Malawi’s opposition Malawi Congress Party has urged President Peter Mutharika to explain his extended stay in South Africa, citing the country’s fuel crisis, power cuts and economic woes. The president’s trip, described as private, is his fifth this year and has raised doubts about leadership stability. Opposition leaders demand Vice‑President Jane Ansah address the nation and explain how the government will tackle shortages of fuel, electricity, medicines and foreign currency. The information minister denies a leadership vacuum, insisting the president remains in charge. The crisis underscores the urgency for transparent governance as Malawi’s citizens experience long queues at petrol stations and unreliable power supplies.
In a week when Malawi is grappling with fuel shortages, power cuts and a shortage of foreign currency, the opposition Malawi Congress Party has demanded that President Peter Mutharika explain why he has been in South Africa for the last month.
The 86‑year‑old president left Malawi on 6 October for a claimed private visit. This is his fifth trip to Pretoria this year, and each journey has been documented only minimally by the government.
“Malawi is at a critical moment, and there is a need for decisive action,” said a spokesperson for the MCP, highlighting that citizens are suffering from long lines at petrol stations, unreliable electricity supplies and limited access to essential medicines.
Information Minister Shadric Namalomba insisted that a state president is always in charge, anywhere, and that “a private trip is private.” He accused the opposition of exploiting problems that linger from the previous administration.
Opposition campaign director Moses Kunkuyu told reporters that the real issue was not the president’s travel, but the lack of visible leadership. He called for Vice‑President Jane Ansah to address the nation and outline plans to tackle persistent shortages of fuel, electricity, medicines and foreign currency.
Amid allegations that Mutharika had flown from South Africa to India for medical treatment, the chief secretary to the government dismissed rumours as unverified. The president has repeatedly denied any serious health issues.
Malawi’s economic crisis has escalated as foreign currency has become scarce, disrupting fuel imports and driving up transport costs. The government has shown limited capacity to respond as the political atmosphere tightens.
Images taken during the president’s fifth visit to South Africa have sparked debate about the ethics of a head of state spending time abroad while his country faces a humanitarian crisis.
