Malawi opposition demands answers over president's prolonged stay abroad
Malawi's opposition wants the vice-president to address the nation as President Peter Mutharika spends an extended period in South Africa. The government insists the president remains in control.
Malawi's opposition is demanding explanations over President Mutharika's lengthy stay abroad. The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) said on Thursday that Vice-President Jane Ansah should address the nation, as the southern African country struggles with shortages of fuel, electricity and medicines.
Mutharika returned to power in October last year after defeating then-president Lazarus Chakwera. He had previously governed from 2014 to 2020. His frequent trips to South Africa have drawn growing public scrutiny.
Opposition demands
MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu told journalists in the capital, Lilongwe, that the party does not question the president's right to travel for personal reasons. He said people are suffering and want reassurance that someone is in charge. The opposition called on the government to explain how it will tackle persistent fuel shortages, frequent blackouts, a lack of medicines in public hospitals and difficulty obtaining foreign currency.
Government response
The information minister told local media that a state president is always in charge, anywhere and at any time, and stressed that Mutharika remains in control. On the purpose of the trip, he said a private trip is private. He accused the opposition of trying to exploit problems that he said arose under its own administration.
On Thursday, Mutharika delegated the trade minister to lead Malawi's delegation to a summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) in Zimbabwe.
Earlier this month, officials rejected social media reports that the president had travelled from South Africa to India for medical treatment. Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi said Mutharika was still in South Africa and urged people not to spread unverified information. Mutharika has himself dismissed speculation about his health as "silly and laughable".
Malawi faces a severe shortage of foreign currency, which has disrupted fuel imports and pushed up transport costs. Long queues have formed at petrol stations.
