APA-Lilongwe (Malawi) President Lazarus Chakwera has frozen all international travels for Malawi government officials, including himself and cabinet ministers.
In a televised address on Wednesday night, Chakwera said the suspension of foreign travel would be effective until the end of the current financial year in March 2024.
“This is why effective immediately, all my international trips between now and the end of the fiscal year, beginning with my trip to COP28 at the end of this month, are cancelled,” Chakwera said.
He added: “By extension, I am putting a freeze on all public-funded international trips for all public officers at all levels, including those in parastatals, until the end of the financial year in March.”
He ordered all ministers currently outside the country to return home.
He also announced restrictions on local travel and reduction by half of fuel allocation to cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
In the same address Chakwera ordered a reduction of income tax for individuals in the 2024/25 budget to cushion workers against rising prices.
JN/APA