Malawi's opposition demands answers over the president's long stay abroad

"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, opposition campaign director

What the opposition wants explained

• Persistent fuel shortages
• Frequent electricity blackouts
• Shortage of medicines in public hospitals
• Difficulty accessing foreign currency

The opposition wants Vice-President Jane Ansah to address the nation and explain how the government will tackle shortages of fuel, electricity, medicines and foreign currency.

The information minister said "a state president is always in charge at any time, anywhere" and called the trip private. The trade minister led Malawi's delegation to a regional summit in Zimbabwe instead.