Malawi suspends passport issuance after cyber-attack: President Chakwera vows not to negotiate with hackers

Malawi’s government has been forced to suspend the issuing of passports after a cyber-attack on the immigration service’s computer network. President Lazarus Chakwera described the attack as a “serious national security breach” and revealed that the hackers were demanding a ransom.

Despite the hackers’ demands, President Chakwera made it clear that the government would not negotiate with criminals or use public money to appease them. Instead, efforts are underway to resolve the issue and restore the passport issuance process.

The demand for passports in Malawi is high, particularly among young people seeking job opportunities abroad. President Chakwera has given the immigration department three weeks to come up with a temporary solution while additional security measures are put in place for the long term.

This cyber-attack comes after weeks of delays in passport issuance, initially attributed to a “technical glitch”. The president’s revelation of the hacking incident has raised concerns about personal data security and the implications for Malawians.

This is not the first time Malawi has faced challenges with passport issuance, with previous suspensions due to issues such as a shortage of passport booklets and irregularities in contract agreements. Frustrated citizens have criticized the government for the backlog of applications and allegations of corruption.

For now, individuals without valid passports are unable to travel, highlighting the impact of the cyber-attack on the daily lives of Malawians. The government’s response to this security breach will be closely monitored as efforts are made to restore normalcy to the passport issuance process.