Malawi President Apologizes for Fuel Shortage Ahead of Election

Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has apologized for the persistent fuel shortages affecting the country, just a week before the upcoming presidential election. He has accused employees of the state-owned oil company of attempting to sabotage his re-election campaign. The fuel crisis has caused significant disruptions to transportation and economic activities across Malawi. Chakwera blamed the fuel shortage on what he described as "unpatriotic" actions by some employees of the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), the state-owned oil company. He claimed that these individuals were deliberately creating artificial scarcity to undermine his administration's performance ahead of the election. The president promised to address the issue and ensure a reliable fuel supply for the country. However, the fuel shortage has become a major campaign issue, with opposition parties criticizing the government's handling of the crisis. The upcoming election is seen as a crucial test for Chakwera's leadership and his ability to resolve the country's pressing economic challenges.