Malawians are expressing their disappointment with President Lazarus Chakwera for being absent during the recent Cyclone Freddy that caused devastating floods in the country. The President had left Malawi on March 2 for Qatar to attend a conference of Least Developed Countries and then proceeded to South Africa for official engagements. The Government’s Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services had warned of the potential cyclone that would hit Malawi. On Sunday, Cyclone Freddy hit Malawi, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, roads and bridges with over 100 lives lost. The southern region’s power stations were also shut down due to the floods.
Some Malawians have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the President’s absence during the crisis. They argue that he should have cut short his trip to provide leadership during this time. However, Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba released a statement, stating that the President had declared a state of disaster in the Southern Region and is expected to return home with the First Lady from South Africa.