By Burnett Munthali
Silvester Namiwa, Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI), held a press briefing on the morning of Wednesday, 7th May 2025, in Lilongwe.
Addressing members of the media, Namiwa raised alarm over the ongoing fuel shortages that continue to disrupt livelihoods and business operations across Malawi.
Before discussing the fuel issue in depth, he highlighted another pressing concern brought to him by ordinary Malawians: the critical shortage of sugar and its escalating prices on the market.
He said the people of Malawi had entrusted him to confront the Minister of Trade, Vitumbiko Mumba, on the matter, demanding transparency and urgent solutions.
Namiwa stressed that sugar, a basic household commodity, has become a luxury for many Malawians due to limited availability and exorbitant costs.
He described the situation as dire, particularly for vulnerable families who are already struggling with high inflation and stagnant incomes.
In response to these concerns, Namiwa called on Minister Mumba to take swift and practical steps, including engaging directly with sugar manufacturing companies to find immediate resolutions.
He argued that such interventions are necessary to stabilize prices and restore consistent supply.
Namiwa condemned the government’s silence, warning that continued inaction would only worsen the suffering of ordinary citizens.
He reminded the authorities that it is the constitutional duty of the Ministry of Trade to safeguard the public from economic exploitation and to ensure access to essential goods.
According to him, the ongoing crisis is a clear reflection of policy failure, market mismanagement, and weak enforcement mechanisms.
He further challenged government leaders to stop hiding behind global excuses and instead take ownership of the problem by implementing well-thought-out domestic strategies.
Namiwa cautioned that if these challenges are not urgently addressed, they risk eroding public confidence in leadership and provoking social unrest.
As he wrapped up his opening statement, Namiwa affirmed that CDEDI would remain vigilant and vocal in holding the government accountable, especially when poor policies continue to choke the lives of struggling Malawians.
