Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera, MFN Reporter
28 October 2026
President Arthur Peter Mutharika has suspended the November–December 2026 meeting of Parliament, citing the need to redirect government resources towards addressing Malawi’s fuel shortage and preparing for the anticipated El Niño weather phenomenon.
According to a letter signed by Mutharika and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, the meeting, which was scheduled to run from November 9 to December 11, will no longer take place as planned.
The meeting was expected to consider the Mid-Year Budget Review, but the President says the exercise will now be undertaken during the next parliamentary session, which will discuss the national budget for the 2027/2028 financial year.
Mutharika says he has exercised powers conferred upon him by the Constitution to suspend the meeting, with the stated objective of protecting the national economy.
The decision comes as Malawi faces persistent fuel supply challenges and concerns over the potential impact of El Niño conditions on agriculture, food security and household livelihoods.
The suspension shifts the parliamentary consideration of the Mid-Year Budget Review to a later session, raising the importance of how government will address the immediate economic pressures while preparing for possible weather-related challenges.
For Malawians already feeling the effects of fuel shortages and rising living costs, attention will now turn to the measures government takes to stabilise fuel supplies and protect vulnerable households.
Malawi Freedom Network will continue to follow developments surrounding the parliamentary suspension, the fuel crisis and the government’s preparations for the anticipated El Niño phenomenon.
