I thought it time to take a quick break from the frivolity and discuss the serious state of affairs here in Malawi. Don't you panic US government blogger screener, I swear to you that the contents of this post are strictly observational and any opinions you derive are ones that you reached all by your lonesome.
So here, in a unbelievably watered down and layman explanation, is what is going on today in my country. If I get facts wrong then I'm sorry; I live in mud hut so fact checking isn't super easy.
This all began when Malawian tobacco, our number one export, was made illegal for sale in the United States and part of Europe. It is used as a cheap filler tobacco and contains high concentrations of carcinogens. This means that Malawian Forex has bottomed out. Now, if you live in America, and didn't take advanced economics, than you most likely have NO idea what Forex is. I know I didn't. As I understand it, Forex is where your countries currency holds up in the international que for importation of goods. In other words, how strong is your economy and how much respect do other economies have for you. Our Forex is now very weak, so the Kwatcha is weak, so it now has becoming increasingly difficult to import goods and inflation is sky-rocketing. Malawi, being a landlocked country, already has some major importation constraints so this only adds to the disaster. Most keenly felt throughout the country is the strain on the Petroleum and Diesel reserves. The REPORTED numbers are that we are able to import 30% of what the country needs. Can you imagine if only 3 out of every 10 cars got gas at the gas station? Yeah.. this is causing quite a problem. For instance, my hospital's ambulances are now often at a stand still; we have taken all the diesel from the hospital backup generator to run the cars, but that will only last us so long, we have frequent power outages, and the cars and ambulances will soon be grounded again.
Malawi considers itself a democracy. Recently, the President has come under close scrutiny for how the fuel crisis is being handled. In addition, he has been widely criticized for his alienation of the British Government. As of now, Britain has suspended all further Aid to Malawi, which as a country that relies on foreign aid for a myriad of things from Hospital funding to crop security. This is a HUGE blow to the country, and many hospitals are beginning to feel the effect of this very acutely. The President is also responsible for the cancellation of the Parliamentary Midterm elections (I think that's what they call it). Again, imagine if Obama cancelled elections.
All this combined has led to some very pissed off Malawians. Today, in all the major cities around the country the people are rising up in protest of the high cost of living and the fuel crisis. They are considering this the largest demonstration since 1992. However, last night a high court judge issued an injunction against any of those who decided to protest. BBC reporters discussed international outrage at this suppression of free speech.
Those of us not allowed anywhere near the cities or protests, such as myself, sit and wait to see as the government and the people "meet in the streets."
Keep Malawi in your thoughts today and in the upcoming months.
Again, no opinions given, just stating the facts as I know them.
