Malawi Opposition Questions President's Extended Absence Abroad

Malawi's main opposition party has called for the government to account for the nation's ongoing struggles, demanding to know who is managing the country's affairs during President Peter Mutharika's extended stay in South Africa. The president has been abroad for some time, marking his fifth visit to South Africa this year.

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) stated that while they do not question the president's right to travel for personal reasons, Vice-President Jane Ansah should address the nation regarding the country's mounting problems. "The issue is not that the president has traveled," said MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu. "The issue is that people are suffering and want reassurance that somebody is in charge."

Kunkuyu urged the government to provide details on its strategy for addressing persistent fuel shortages, frequent electricity outages, a lack of essential medicines in public hospitals, and difficulties in accessing foreign currency. These issues have led to long queues at petrol stations and widespread public frustration.

Responding to the opposition's concerns, the Minister of Information told local media that "a state president is always in charge at any time, anywhere," asserting that Mutharika remains in control of government operations. The minister characterized the president's trip as private and dismissed the opposition's claims, accusing them of attempting to exploit problems that he said developed under their previous administration. "That is why Malawians voted us into government, not them. May I request them to seal their mouths as we address the problems they miserably created and failed to solve," the minister added.

Earlier in the month, officials refuted social media reports suggesting Mutharika had traveled from South Africa to India for medical treatment. Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi confirmed the president was still in South Africa and advised the public against spreading unverified information. Mutharika himself has previously dismissed speculation about his health as "silly and laughable."

President Mutharika returned to power in October of the previous year, defeating then-President Lazarus Chakwera. He had previously served as Malawi's president from 2014 to 2020. On Thursday, Mutharika delegated the trade minister to represent Malawi at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) summit in Zimbabwe. The nation continues to face a severe shortage of foreign currency, impacting fuel imports and contributing to increased transportation costs.