Malawi honors the tragic death of Vice President Saulos Chilima.

Following the sad passing of Vice President Saulos Chilima, Malawi is in sorrow. Along with nine others, Chilima perished in a plane crash in a forest in the northern part of the nation on route to a burial.

A Nation in Mourning

The headlines have shocked and depressed the nation. “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 Lilongwe resident. Godrick Masina, another resident, bemoaned the loss and pointed out Chilima’s major national accomplishments. “Being a vice president, he helped many others—including the present government. Without Chilima, I am quite convinced we could have ended  up in another election,” he remarked.

The Political Tour of Chilima

Originally a businessman, Saulos Chilima was vice president of Malawi for ten years, first under former President Peter Mutharika and then under the present President Lazarus Chakwera. Following a dispute with Mutharika, Chilima founded the United Transformation Movement (UTM), a political party promoting drastic reform and change in Malawi, in 2018. Running for president the next year, he came in third in a divisive contest subsequently canceled because of extensive irregularities. Chilima teamed with Chakwera in the 2020 re-run, and together they routed Mutharicka.

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Inquiries and Objectives for Critics

UTM officials have criticized the government’s reaction following the disaster, characterizing it as slow. They also expressed worries over the transponder on the airplane, wondering why it seemed to be absent. Patricia Kaliati, UTM’s secretary general, said, “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 Leader Still Respected

President Chakwera called Chilima a “good man” and a “patriotic citizen” in announcing his death. Though there have lately been claims of conflict between the two, Chakwera’s eulogy highlighted Chilima’s loyalty to Malawi. According to Chilima, part of their coalition pact involved Chakwera leaving following his first term to enable him to compete for president in the next 2025 election. Chakwera, however, has lately declared his intention to run for re-election.

Malawi considers Saulos Chilima’s influence and contributions while lamenting his passing. Though his sad death leaves a hole in the political scene of the nation, his vision for reform and commitment to the people of Malawi will be long remembered.