Malawi opposition demands answers over president's prolonged stay abroad
This is President Peter Mutharika's fifth visit to South Africa this year.
Malawi opposition seeks explanation over president’s extended stay abroad
This is President Peter Mutharika's fifth visit to South Africa this year
Malawi’s opposition has called for an explanation for President Peter Mutharika’s extended stay in South Africa, as the nation grapples with fuel shortages, power outages and economic hardship.
The 86-year-old Mutharika left Malawi on 6 October for what officials said was a private visit. It is his fifth trip this year, and only limited details have been released about each one.
"Malawi is at a critical moment, and there is a need for decisive action," the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) said.
Information Minister Shadric Namalomba has rejected claims that Mutharika’s absence has caused a leadership vacuum.
Mutharika returned to office in October last year after defeating then-president Lazarus Chakwera.
He had previously led Malawi from 2014 to 2020.
His latest absence has drawn increasing public attention because of his frequent trips to South Africa.
On Thursday, MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu told reporters in the capital, Lilongwe, that the opposition was not challenging the president’s right to travel for personal reasons, but wanted Vice-President Jane Ansah to speak to the country about its growing problems.
He said Malawians had a right to know who was running the country.
"The issue is not that the president has traveled," he said. "The issue is that people are suffering and want reassurance that somebody is in charge."
He urged the government to clarify how it planned to deal with ongoing fuel shortages, regular power cuts, shortages of essential medicines in public hospitals and problems obtaining foreign currency.
The information minister replied to local media that "a state president is always in charge at any time, anywhere," and insisted the president was still fully in control of government business.
When asked about the reason for the trip, the minister said: "A private trip is private."
He accused the opposition of trying to take advantage of problems he said had arisen under its previous rule.
"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," he added.
On Thursday, Mutharika assigned the trade minister to head Malawi’s delegation to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) summit in Zimbabwe.
Earlier this month, officials dismissed social media reports that Mutharika had gone from South Africa to India for medical care.
Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi said the president was still in South Africa and urged the public not to circulate unverified claims.
Mutharika has previously brushed aside speculation about his health, calling such claims "silly and laughable" and saying he was well.
Malawi is facing a severe shortage of foreign currency, which has disrupted fuel imports and pushed up transport costs.
Long lines have formed at petrol stations, while unreliable electricity and medicine shortages have deepened public anger.