Malawi opposition accuses government of worsening shortages
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Nyasa Times
The Malawi Congress Party accuses the government of worsening fuel shortages, power cuts and medicine shortages. Its campaign director, Moses Kunkuyu, also denounced corruption and President Peter Mutharika’s prolonged absence at a press conference in Lilongwe, according to Nyasa Times.
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Malawi’s main opposition party, accused President Peter Mutharika’s government of worsening shortages of fuel, medicines and foreign currency, as well as power and water cuts. At a press conference in Lilongwe, its campaign director, Moses Kunkuyu, denounced a lack of leadership and suspicions of corruption, Nyasa Times reports.
The MCP says fuel shortages are disrupting businesses and public services, while the lack of foreign currency is complicating imports of essential goods. The party also says hospitals lack medicines and prolonged outages are affecting households and economic activity. Kunkuyu warned that public trust was being undermined by contested government appointments and the handling of sensitive legal cases.
The opposition is calling for urgent action and asking Vice-President Jane Ansah to take charge of the country during Mutharika’s absence, as he is in South Africa on a private trip. Kunkuyu said Malawians wanted leadership, according to Nyasa Times.
The accusations follow a question raised by the opposition on 22 October about who is running the country during Mutharika’s absence. The party is now extending its criticism to shortages and the government’s economic management.
