By Vincent Gunde
The United Democratic Front ( UDF) has questioned government on why Malawians are being asked to pay more than two and a – half times the global average pump price which is approximately $1.44 per Litre ( around MK2,500).
The UDF said Malawians are not paying more because fuel is scarce globally, but because the country’s currency has been allowed to weaken to unsustainable levels.
The party said while global tensions including the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran have undoubtedly exerted pressure on international fuel markets, the figures of fuel adjustment from K4,965 to K6,600 per Litre do not add up.
Writing in a statement dated 1st April, 2026 UDF President Atupele Muluzi, said a government that cannot safeguard the value of its currency cannot protect its citizens from deepening poverty describing the fuel adjustment as a clear signal of policy failure.
Muluzi said the decision to hike fuel pump price from K4,965 to K6,600 is reflecting an administration that is either profoundly disconnected from the day to day struggles of ordinary Malawians.
He said the fuel pump price adjustment has come at a time when citizens are living on hand to mouth describing such a drastic increase as both insensitive and unjustifiable.
” Malawians deserve leadership that responds with solutions, not excuses, the burden of economic mismanagement cannot continue to be shifted onto the struggling citizens,” reads Muluzi’s statement in part.
He has urged government to announce immediate measures to stabilize the Kwacha, a transparent, efficient and accountable fuel procurement process and a strategic transition to rail – based fuel transportation via the Nacala corridor.
Meanwhile, Counsel Silvester Ayuba James writing on his face book said from MK2,500 per Litre to K6,800 within a space of four months happening for the first record time in the history of the citizens extended village mistakenly for a country – Malawi.
” History safufuta, nayenso ovota saiwala, inu ndi madolo, osanamizira Iran war,” reads his writings on the wall.
Counsel Ayuba James has expressed optimistic that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has connections with all fuel producers saying it is just a matter of few phone calls.
