Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima, along with nine others, tragically died in a plane crash due to bad weather in a mountainous region in the north of the country. The small military plane went missing on Monday and was found completely destroyed near the city of Mzuzu. President Lazarus Chakwera declared it a “terrible tragedy” and praised Chilima for his service to the country. The victims’ remains were being transported to the capital, Lilongwe.
The group was on its way to attend a funeral when air traffic controllers advised against landing in Mzuzu due to poor visibility. The aircraft disappeared from radar, leading to a search operation involving hundreds of soldiers, police officers, and forest rangers. International assistance, including specialized technologies from the U.S., the U.K., Norway, and Israel, was sought for the search.
Chilima had recently faced corruption charges, which were dropped last month, and had served two terms as vice president. His alliance with President Chakwera following the 2019 election was marked by signs of tension, with disagreements over future presidential candidacy. The plane crash marks a significant loss for Malawi, with Chilima being remembered as a devoted public servant and a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape.
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