MALAWI’s President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday announced measures to tackle a fuel crisis and hunger, while condemning political violence in the country.
Earlier this year, the east African nation declared a state of disaster in 23 of its 28 districts after a drought destroyed crops, threatening 5.7 million people with hunger.
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In a televised address, Chakwera recognised “the need to prioritise food security,” but also asked the nation to support “measures to cut spending”.
He said the government would announce austerity measures due to fiscal pressures over the country’s “debt situation.”
The president thanked the international community for providing funds to address the food crisis but said more aid was needed.
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“We still have 1.2 million affected people who are still waiting for their turn to receive support,” said the 69-year-old, who was elected in 2020.
He also addressed a lingering fuel crisis that has affected the nation for weeks after a lack of foreign exchange interrupted supplies.
The petrol shortages increased the cost of transportation, with a knock-on effect on the prices of essential goods and food in a country where 70 percent of people live in extreme poverty.
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“It is time for us to take a different approach,” Chakwera said, explaining that the government would start procuring fuel by arrangement with other governments.
“As a first step in pursuing this, I have accepted an invitation from the President of the United Arab Emirates… to discuss this and other matters for the long-term fuel security of our country.”
