Malawi’s Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has called on the government to disclose the constitutional arrangements governing presidential authority during President Peter Mutharika’s absences abroad, as well as the cost to taxpayers of his frequent foreign travel. But it said the government’s communication fell short of what transparency and accountability required. “In these circumstances, transparency regarding the use of public resources is not optional – it is a constitutional requirement and a fundamental obligation owed to taxpayers,” the statement said. If the trip was entirely privately funded, it said, the government should say so unambiguously. “At a time when Malawians are making enormous economic sacrifices, those entrusted with public office must be prepared to account openly for the use of public resources,” the statement said.