马拉维反对派要求总统彼得·穆塔里卡解释其在南非长期逗留的原因，因为该国正面临燃料短缺、停电和经济困难。
Malawi's opposition has demanded an explanation for President Peter Mutharika's prolonged stay in South Africa, as the country struggles with fuel shortages, power cuts and economic difficulties.
现年86岁的穆塔里卡于10月6日离开马拉维，官方称之为私人访问。这是他今年的第五次访问，每次行程公开的信息都很有限。
The 86-year-old Mutharika left Malawi on 6 October, for what officials described as a private visit. This is his fifth visit this year, with limited information made public on each of these trips.
“马拉维正处于关键时刻，需要果断行动，”反对党马拉维大会党（MCP）表示。
"Malawi is at a critical moment, and there is a need for decisive action," the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) said.
信息部长沙德里克·纳马隆巴否认穆塔里卡的缺席造成了领导真空。
Information Minister Shadric Namalomba has denied that Mutharika's absence had created a leadership vacuum.
穆塔里卡去年10月击败时任总统拉扎勒斯·查克韦拉，重新掌权。他此前曾于2014年至2020年间执政马拉维。
Mutharika returned to power in October last year after defeating then-president Lazarus Chakwera. He previously governed Malawi between 2014 and 2020.
他最近一次缺席发生在公众对其频繁访问南非的审视日益增加之际。
His latest absence comes amid growing public scrutiny of his frequent visits to South Africa.
周四，马拉维大会党竞选主任摩西·昆库尤在首都利隆圭对记者表示，反对派并不质疑总统因私人原因出行的权利，但希望副总统简·安萨就该国日益严峻的挑战向全国发表讲话。他说，马拉维人民有权知道谁在管理国家事务。
On Thursday, MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu told journalists in the capital, Lilongwe, that the opposition was not questioning the president's right to travel for personal reasons but wanted Vice-President Jane Ansah to address the nation over the country's mounting challenges. He said that Malawians deserved to know who was managing the country's affairs.
“问题不在于总统出访了，”他说，“问题在于民众正在受苦，需要得到有人掌舵的保证。”他呼吁政府解释打算如何解决持续的燃料短缺、频繁的电力停电、公立医院基本药物短缺以及获取外汇困难等问题。
"The issue is not that the president has traveled," he said. "The issue is that people are suffering and want reassurance that somebody is in charge." He called on the government to explain how it intended to address persistent fuel shortages, frequent electricity blackouts, shortage of essential medicines in public hospitals and difficulties accessing foreign currency.
信息部长回应当地媒体称，“国家总统随时随地都在掌权”，坚称总统依然牢牢掌控政府事务。
The information minister responded by telling local media that "a state president is always in charge at any time, anywhere," insisting that the president remained firmly in control of government affairs. Asked about the purpose of the visit, the minister said: "A private trip is private."
当被问及此次访问的目的时，这位部长表示：“私人旅行就是私人旅行，不应被公开讨论。”他还指责反对派试图利用在他之前执政期间出现的问题来谋取政治利益，并补充说：“正是由于反对派的糟糕治理，马拉维人民才投票让我们上台执政。现在，我们正在努力解决他们造成的问题，希望他们能闭嘴、不要干扰我们的工作。”
He accused the opposition of attempting to exploit problems he said had developed under its previous administration. "That is why Malawians voted us into government, not them. May I request them to seal their mouths as we address the problems they miserably created and failed to solve," he added.
周四，穆塔里卡任命贸易部长率领马拉维代表团参加在津巴布韦举行的东非和南部非洲共同市场（Comesa）峰会。
On Thursday, Mutharika delegated the trade minister to lead Malawi's delegation to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) summit in Zimbabwe.
本月早些时候，政府官员驳斥了社交媒体上关于穆塔里卡前往南非接受治疗的报道。政府首席秘书贾斯汀·萨伊迪表示，穆塔里卡仍留在南非，并呼吁公众不要传播未经证实的消息。
Earlier this month, officials dismissed reports on social media that Mutharika had travelled from South Africa to India for medical treatment. Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi said the president remained in South Africa and urged the public not to spread unverified information.
此前，穆塔里卡也曾多次否认有关他健康状况的猜测，称这些传言“荒谬可笑”，并坚称自己身体状况良好。
Mutharika has previously dismissed speculation about his health, describing such claims as "silly and laughable" and insisting that he was well.
马拉维目前面临严重的外汇短缺问题，这导致燃料进口受阻、运输成本上升。加油站前排起了长队；电力供应不稳定以及药品短缺也加剧了民众的不满情绪。欲了解更多来自非洲大陆的新闻，请继续关注相关报道。
Malawi faces a severe shortage of foreign currency, which has disrupted fuel imports and contributed to rising transport costs. Long queues have formed at petrol stations, while unreliable electricity supplies and shortages of medicines have added to public frustration. Go to for more news from the African continent.
