Malawi’s main opposition party has demanded answers over President Peter Mutharika’s prolonged stay in South Africa, pressing authorities to explain who is managing government affairs amid severe fuel shortages, blackouts, and economic strain.
Opposition Demands Answers in Lilongwe Over Mutharika’s Extended Stay
Malawi’s political landscape has grown increasingly tense as the country grapples with mounting economic hardship while 86-year-old President Peter Mutharika remains abroad. Speaking at a press briefing in the capital of Lilongwe, Malawi Congress Party campaign director Moses Kunkuyu told journalists that citizens deserved immediate clarity on who was steering the nation.
The President left Malawi on October 6 for what government officials have categorized as a private visit (Mwnation). This journey marks his fifth trip to South Africa this year, following his return to power in October last year (Mwnation). While the opposition insists it does not question the President’s personal right to travel, Kunkuyu emphasized that the prolonged absence leaves a dangerous void during a period of acute national distress.
The issue is not that the president has traveled. The issue is that people are suffering and want reassurance that somebody is in charge.
Moses Kunkuyu, Malawi Congress Party campaign director
The ruling party rejects the premise that any leadership vacuum exists. Information Minister Shadric Namalomba dismissed the opposition’s concerns, telling local media that a state president is always in charge at any time, anywhere,
and maintaining that Mutharika remains firmly in control of state affairs (Bbc). When pressed on the specific nature of the journey, Namalomba maintained that a private trip is private.
(The Star).
Fuel Shortages and Hospital Stock-Outs Compound Public Frustration
Behind the political sparring lies a deeply strained domestic economy. Motorists across the country are enduring long queues at filling stations as a severe foreign currency shortage hobbles fuel imports (Zambiamonitor). At the same time, persistent electricity blackouts continue to undermine production and drive up the cost of living, while public hospitals face alarming stock-outs of essential medicines (Mwnation).
The opposition has urged the Anti-Corruption Bureau to investigate ongoing allegations of resource abuse, while demanding that the government outline clear measures to stabilize foreign exchange reserves (Mwnation). Yet the administration has turned the criticism back on its critics, with Namalomba accusing the former administration of creating the very problems the current government is now working to fix (Bbc).
At a time like this, the country needs leadership that is visible, accessible, decisive and accountable. Malawians need to hear from their President.
Moses Kunkuyu, Malawi Congress Party campaign director
Legal Debate Surrounds Constitutional Provisions and Vice-Presidential Roles
As the opposition directs its pressure toward First Vice-Jane Ansah to step forward and address the nation (Mwnation), legal experts are divided on whether such a move holds constitutional weight. Alan Chinula noted that a president’s physical absence from the country does not automatically trigger constitutional mechanisms for transfer of power (Mwnation). According to Chinula, invoking presidential incapacitation requires a rigorous written declaration certified by independent medical practitioners, signed by the First Vice-President and a majority of the Cabinet, and submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly (Mwnation).
That procedure has to be followed. Has it been followed as we sit here now? The answer is no,
Chinula stated, arguing against demands for Ansah to assume presidential functions (Mwnation). However, activist and private practice lawyer Benedicto Kondowe countered that Ansah could still utilize her existing constitutional mandate under Sections 79 and 92(3) to preside over Cabinet meetings and reassure the public (Mwnation) without taking on presidential authority.
Official Denials Meet a Chronology of Frequent Private Travel
Amid unverified social media speculation regarding the President’s health (Bbc)—which Mutharika has previously dismissed as silly and laughable
—Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi urged the public to reject unverified rumors, confirming that the President remains in South Africa (Bbc). Dismissing the opposition’s political tactics, Saidi further argued that the issues brought forward by the MCP fail to accurately capture Malawians’ general perspectives, noting that he never authorized the main opposition party to act as his spokesperson.
Public records show that Mutharika’s travel schedule throughout his first year back in office—which he marked on October 4 2026 (Mwnation)—has relied entirely on private departures rather than state visits abroad (Mwnation).
- December 1 2025: First private visit lasting about 14 days.
- March 1: Second private visit lasting 11 days.
- June 12: Third private visit lasting 17 days.
- August 5: Fourth private visit lasting 11 days.
- October 6: Fifth private visit, which remains ongoing.
With ongoing regional duties to fulfill, the President instructed the trade minister to head Malawi’s delegation to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa summit in Zimbabwe (Bbc), while governance tasks continue to be handled through designated cabinet portfolios amid continuous public scrutiny regarding the executive branch’s current whereabouts.