The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has described the current fuel crisis as a clear signal of the government’s failure to manage basic needs of Malawians.

HRDC statement signed by its chairperson Gift Trapence has challenged the government to swiftly address the problem by securing fuel, adding the situation has disturbed the country’s essential services.

The human rights defenders body said it will not sit back and watch Malawians suffer because of inefficient and incompetent leadership.

“The people of Malawi deserve leaders who can act, not officials who sit idle while the country burns. If the Government cannot resolve this crisis, it must step aside and make way for those who can,” reads the statement.

Trapence has also asked the government to eliminate middlemen from fuel procurement deals to bypass them, saying they are contributing to the scarcity of fuel.

“The Government knows exactly where to buy fuel and has the means to purchase it directly from suppliers. Yet, it continues to complicate the process by involving third parties who have no interest in the wellbeing of Malawians. This must stop now,” reads the statement.