Malawi's opposition has demanded an explanation for President Peter Mutharika's prolonged stay in South Africa, as the country struggles with fuel shortages, power cuts and economic difficulties.
The 86-year-old Mutharika left Malawi on 6 October, for what officials described as a private visit. This is his fifth visit this year, with limited information made public on each of these trips.
"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 denied that Mutharika's absence had created a leadership vacuum.
Mutharika returned to power in October last year after defeating then-president Lazarus Chakwera.
He previously governed Malawi between 2014 and 2020.
His latest absence comes amid growing public scrutiny of his frequent visits to South Africa.
On Thursday, MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu told journalists in the capital, Lilongwe, that the opposition was not questioning the president's right to travel for personal reasons but wanted Vice-President Jane Ansah to address the nation over the country's mounting challenges.
He said that Malawians deserved to know who was managing the country's affairs.
"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 called on the government to explain how it intended to address persistent fuel shortages, frequent electricity blackouts, shortage of essential medicines in public hospitals and difficulties accessing foreign currency.
The information minister responded by telling local media that "a state president is always in charge at any time, anywhere," insisting that the president remained firmly in control of government affairs.
Asked about the purpose of the visit, the minister said: "A private trip is private."
He accused the opposition of attempting to exploit problems he said had developed under its previous administration.
"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 delegated the trade minister to lead Malawi's delegation to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) summit in Zimbabwe.
Earlier this month, officials dismissed reports on social media that Mutharika had travelled from South Africa to India for medical treatment.
Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi said the president remained in South Africa and urged the public not to spread unverified information.
Mutharika has previously dismissed speculation about his health, describing such claims as "silly and laughable" and insisting that he was well.
Malawi faces a severe shortage of foreign currency, which has disrupted fuel imports and contributed to rising transport costs.
Long queues have formed at petrol stations, while unreliable electricity supplies and shortages of medicines have added to public frustration.
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