HRDC demands swift action as Malawi faces fuel, water, and power crises.

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has issued a strong call for urgent government intervention amid worsening fuel shortages, erratic water supply and persistent electricity blackouts that continue to cripple the lives of millions of Malawians.

The coalition has described the ongoing crises as a serious violation of fundamental human rights and a reflection of administrative failure and lack of leadership.

In a press statement released on 10th November 2025, HRDC National Chairperson, Michael Kaiyatsa said the situation had reached a breaking point with citizens struggling to access basic services and sustain livelihoods.

“This is not merely an inconvenience but it is a violation of people’s right to dignity, adequate living standards and access to essential services,” said Kaiyatsa.

He noted that over 40 days have passed since President Peter Mutharika assumed office, yet the fuel crisis remains unresolved.

He added that long queues at filling stations have become a daily sight with motorists spending nights waiting for fuel while businesses, hospitals and public institutions are grinding to a halt.

“Fuel is a strategic commodity that sustains the entire economy,” Kaiyatsa emphasized.

“Government’s failure to treat this as a national emergency is unacceptable. Malawians deserve transparency, accountability, and honest communication not empty promises.”

The HRDC further dismissed government attempts to attribute the shortage to post election unrest in Tanzania, describing the explanation as no longer credible.

”The coalition argued that the persistence of the crisis long after stability returned in Tanzania clearly points to domestic mismanagement and poor planning,” reads statement in part.

According to HRDC, the situation exposes a lack of transparency within key government institutions such as the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) and the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).

He said: “The coalition accused these bodies of providing conflicting statements and concealing vital information from the public.

“Instead of coming clean with the facts, the authorities have chosen silence and evasion.

“This only deepens public frustration and erodes trust in government institutions. Access to fuel, water, and power is not a privilege it is a human right and a constitutional duty the government must uphold.”

Beyond fuel shortages, HRDC expressed alarm at the worsening electricity and water supply situation across the country.

He further added that frequent blackouts and dry taps have disrupted schools, hospitals and small businesses, leaving the most vulnerable citizens at risk.

“When taps run dry and the lights go off, it is the poor who pay the highest price,” said Kaiyatsa.

“Children cannot study, patients in hospitals suffer, and small traders lose their livelihoods. This is a direct assault on people’s rights to water, health, education, and economic opportunity.”

The HRDC’s statement outlines five key demands directed at the government, including immediate public disclosure of fuel stock levels, debts, and supply restoration plans.

The coalition has also called for the creation of an emergency taskforce to coordinate responses to the fuel, water and electricity crises.

In addition, HRDC urged Parliament to summon relevant ministers and regulators for questioning, and demanded that government agencies provide regular, factual public updates instead of vague reassurances.

The coalition further called for a long term strategy to prevent future crises through sustainable energy and fuel management policies.

“Malawi cannot continue moving from one crisis to another under the pretext of transition or blame shifting,” Kaiyatsa warned.

“True leadership means taking responsibility, communicating honestly, and acting decisively to protect citizens’ welfare.”

He added that the HRDC would continue to stand with Malawians who are enduring untold hardships as a result of government inaction.

The coalition pledged to keep holding authorities accountable until tangible solutions are achieved.

“We stand in solidarity with every Malawian spending sleepless nights in fuel queues, every hospital struggling to operate without power, and every household going without water,” said Kaiyatsa.

“Government must wake up to its responsibility leadership is about service, not excuses.”

The HRDC concluded its statement by urging President Mutharika to demonstrate political will and urgency, reminding him that restoring citizens’ trust begins with honesty and decisive action.

“The time for excuses is over,” Kaiyatsa declared. “Malawians deserve leadership that listens, acts, and respects their rights. The wellbeing and dignity of the people must come first.”