Malawi Opposition Demands Explanation for Mutharika's Extended South Africa Stay
Malawi's main opposition party, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has demanded an explanation for the prolonged stay of President Peter Mutharika in South Africa, according to BBC News.
Mutharika, who is 86, left Malawi on 6 October for what officials described as a private visit to South Africa. The BBC reports that this October trip is his fifth visit to South Africa this year. He returned to power in October last year after defeating then-president Lazarus Chakwera. He had previously governed Malawi from 2014 to 2020.
MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu called for Vice-President Jane Ansah to address the nation over mounting challenges. Information Minister Shadric Namalomba denied that the president's absence had created a leadership vacuum.
Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi said the president remained in South Africa. He dismissed reports that Mutharika had travelled to India for medical treatment. Earlier, the government had declined to explain the five trips, saying "Private is private," as Nyasa Times reported on 18 October.
The absence has coincided with fuel shortages in the country, according to allAfrica.
Mutharika has also delegated the trade minister to lead Malawi's delegation to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) summit in Zimbabwe, the BBC reports.
