Passport issuance in Malawi has been halted due to a cyber-attack on the immigration service’s computer system.
President Lazarus Chakwera informed lawmakers that the government views this incident as a significant national security breach.
The hackers have demanded a ransom, but the president emphasised the government’s refusal to comply with their demands, asserting ongoing efforts to address the issue.
“We are not in the business of appeasing criminals with public money, nor are we in the business of negotiating with those who attack our country,” he said on Wednesday.
Malawi is experiencing a surge in passport demand, particularly among the youth seeking job opportunities abroad.
President Chakwera announced that he has given the immigration department a three-week deadline to implement a temporary solution and resume passport issuance, while concurrently working on regaining control of the system.
He assured the development of a long-term solution with enhanced security measures.
Over the past two weeks, passport issuance was stalled due to what officials initially termed a “technical glitch.” President Chakwera disclosed for the first time on Wednesday that the immigration system had been subjected to a “hack,” without specifying the suspected hackers.
No specific details have been disclosed regarding the cyber-attack, including potential implications for personal data security.
Malawians are seeking explanations for persistent delays in obtaining passports. This isn’t the first suspension; last year, the government halted new document issuance due to passport booklet shortages exacerbated by a lack of foreign currency.
Issues arose in 2021 when the attorney-general’s office terminated a passport contract, citing irregularities. Some frustrated citizens have blamed the government for ongoing application backlogs amid corruption allegations. Currently, individuals without a passport or with an expired one cannot obtain a new travel document, limiting their ability to travel.
