Inflation: Malawi’s president suspends foreign travel for himself and cabinet members

In a desperate move to save money and heal the country, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has suspended all international travel for himself and his cabinet members.

Speaking in a nationwide address on Wednesday night, November 15, the president said the suspension is with immediate effect.

He also directed all ministers who are currently outside the country to return home and said the suspension will be in place until March next year.

“Any travel deemed absolutely necessary by anyone during that period must be submitted to my office for my personal authorisation,” Chakwera said.

Additionally, the president unveiled a range of austerity measures, including cutting by 50 percent fuel entitlements for cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

The measure follows a huge devaluation of the currency as Malawi secures a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to boost its ailing economy.