By Rahim Abdul
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has expressed deep frustration over the continued fuel shortages affecting Malawians, warning that the situation is placing an unbearable strain on daily life and economic activity.
HRDC Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said the ongoing crisis is not only disruptive but also raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in how fuel resources are being managed.
His remarks follow an admission by government spokesperson Shadrick Namalomba, who confirmed in an interview with a certain media, the country currently has no fuel reserves in storage facilities managed by National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).
According to Namalomba, the government is struggling to procure fuel due to a shortage of foreign currency, a challenge further worsened by the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has disrupted global fuel supply chains.
But HRDC has questioned the consistency of this explanation, arguing that while global conflicts may have some impact, Malawi’s fuel shortages appear to be a recurring issue even in times of relative global stability.
Kaiyatsa emphasized the need for the government to openly explain how NOCMA operates and why the country repeatedly faces fuel supply challenges.
He stressed that transparency is key to restoring public trust, especially at a time when citizens are enduring long queues, disrupted transport systems and rising costs of goods and services.
The coalition has since called on authorities to urgently outline a clear and sustainable strategy to address the fuel crisis, warning that failure to act decisively could further destabilize livelihoods across the country.
Across Malawi, the shortage has already begun to affect multiple sectors, from public transport to small-scale businesses, with many struggling to operate efficiently without reliable access to fuel.
HRDC maintains that beyond short term fixes, the country needs long term planning and better resource management to prevent recurring shortages.
As pressure mounts, Malawians now look to the government for concrete solutions that will not only resolve the current crisis but also safeguard against future disruptions.
