Malawi honors the tragic death of Vice President Saulos Chilima

A Nation in Mourning

Malawi is in deep sorrow following the tragic passing of Vice President Saulos Chilima. Chilima, along with nine others, perished in a plane crash in a forest in the northern part of the nation while en route to a burial.

National Shock and Grief

The news has left the nation in shock and grief. “Every country has leaders who are also like parents. Not to one individual, not to two, but to many communities. Thus, it is sad,” said Rose Abigail Mwinjilo, a resident of Lilongwe. Another resident, Godrick Masina, lamented the loss and highlighted Chilima’s significant contributions to the nation. “As vice president, he helped many others, including the current government. Without Chilima, I am quite convinced we could have ended up in another election,” he remarked.

The Political Journey of Chilima

Saulos Chilima began his career as a businessman and served as the vice president of Malawi for ten years, first under former President Peter Mutharika and then under the current President Lazarus Chakwera. After a dispute with Mutharika, Chilima founded the United Transformation Movement (UTM) in 2018, a political party advocating for substantial reforms in Malawi. He ran for president the following year, finishing third in a controversial election that was later annulled due to widespread irregularities. In the 2020 re-run, Chilima partnered with Chakwera, and together they defeated Mutharika.

Inquiries and Concerns

UTM officials have criticized the government’s response to the disaster, describing it as slow. They have also raised concerns about the plane’s transponder, questioning why it appeared to be missing. Patricia Kaliati, UTM’s secretary general, stated, “As a party, we are looking forward to seeing where the transponder is and why it is that we are failing to trace it.”

A Respected Leader

President Chakwera called Chilima a “good man” and a “patriotic citizen” in his announcement of Chilima’s death. Despite recent reports of tension between the two, Chakwera’s eulogy emphasized Chilima’s dedication to Malawi. Chilima had stated that part of their coalition agreement involved Chakwera stepping down after his first term to allow him to run for president in the 2025 election. However, Chakwera has recently announced his intention to seek re-election.

As Malawi mourns the loss of Saulos Chilima, the nation reflects on his influence and contributions. His untimely death leaves a void in the political landscape, but his vision for reform and dedication to the people of Malawi will be remembered.