The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has mourned the loss of Malawi’s Vice President, who died on June 10, 2024, in a tragic plane crash, calling on Malawians to stay united and peaceful despite the loss.
Saulos Chilima, 51, died alongside eight others, including the former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, the ex-wife of former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi, aboard a military aircraft on Monday.
Search and rescue teams found the wreckage of the plane on June 11, near a hill in the Chikangawa Forest in the north of the country, a day after it went missing.
In his condolence message, acting CCC President Professor Welshman Ncube expressed his sympathy to the President of Malawi, the families of the deceased, and Malawi citizens.
“May I express my, and the Citizens Coalition for Change’s, deep and most sincere condolences to the President of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency President Lazarus Chakwera, the government, and the people of the Republic of Malawi on the tragic loss of your Vice President, Dr Saulos Chilima,” Prof. Ncube said.
“We share in your grief.”
The CCC leader also called for Malawians to remain united and peaceful following the tragedy.
“May you be strengthened by the knowledge that we, and the rest of Africa, are with you in this difficult moment. As you navigate this moment and the times to come, may you remain the united, peaceful, and gentle people you are known to be. Rest in peace, Dr. Saulos Chilima,” said Prof. Ncube.
Chilima was flying to attend the funeral of a former justice minister, but his plane could not land at Mzuzu Airport, about 223 miles north of the capital, Lilongwe, as scheduled due to bad weather.
Aviation authorities then ordered the aircraft to return to Lilongwe, but moments later it went off the radar.
On Tuesday, Malawi’s President Chakwera had already announced 21 days of national mourning.
