Malawi Halts Passport Issuance Amidst Cybersecurity Threat

In a significant move, the Malawian government has taken the decision to temporarily halt the issuance of passports following a cyber-attack on the immigration service's computer network. President Lazarus Chakwera addressed Members of Parliament, emphasizing the severity of the situation, deeming it a "serious national security breach."

President Chakwera disclosed that the perpetrators of the cyber-attack were demanding a ransom. Despite the ransom request, he asserted that the government would not yield to such demands and is actively engaged in resolving the issue. The President made it clear that the government does not support using public funds to appease criminals or engaging in negotiations with those who threaten the nation.."

The demand for passports is notably high in Malawi, particularly among the youth seeking job opportunities abroad. President Chakwera outlined a three-week timeline for the immigration department to implement a temporary solution, ensuring the resumption of passport issuance while efforts to regain control of the compromised system are underway. He also committed to developing a long-term solution incorporating enhanced security measures.

The suspension of passport issuance had been attributed to a "technical glitch" in the preceding two weeks, with the President only revealing the cyber-attack details on Wednesday. No specifics regarding the identity of the hackers or potential implications for personal data security were provided.

Malawians, grappling with persistent delays in passport issuance, have been seeking answers. This suspension is not the first of its kind, as last year, the government temporarily halted new document issuance due to a shortage of passport booklets exacerbated by a foreign currency shortfall. Challenges have persisted since 2021, with the termination of a passport contract by the attorney-general's office, citing irregularities.

Frustrations among Malawians have previously been voiced, attributing the backlog of applications to alleged corruption within the government. Presently, individuals without a passport or those with expired passports are unable to acquire new travel documents, effectively impeding their ability to travel.