In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others died in a crash of a Malawi military aircraft that went off radar after departing from Lilongwe.
- President Lazarus Chakwera announced the tragic news, praising Chilima for his service and urging the nation to come together in mourning.
Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima, has tragically passed away. President Lazarus Chakwera announced the heartbreaking news during a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.
“Despite the experience of the crew, something terrible happened to that aircraft, causing it to crash and kill everyone on board,” Chakwera said.
The President acknowledged the profound pain and helplessness felt by the nation, stating, “I understand this feeling because I feel them too.
It is important that we comfort each other now and in the weeks to come as we mourn together.” He praised Chilima as a good man and a patriotic citizen, expressing the honor he felt having Chilima serve as his deputy for the past four years.
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Chilima, along with nine others, perished in the crash of a Malawi military aircraft. The Malawian Defence Force reported that the aircraft “went off radar” after departing from Lilongwe on Monday morning.
Collen Zamba, secretary to the Office of President and Cabinet, stated that all efforts by aviation authorities to contact the aircraft since it went off radar had failed.
Saulos Chilima was born on February 12, 1973. He was first sworn in as Vice President of the Republic of Malawi on May 30, 2014, and began his second term on June 28, 2020.
Chilima made history as the first Malawian to lead Airtel Malawi, the leading mobile telecommunications company in the country.
Prior to his telecommunications career, he held senior sales and marketing positions in the banking sector and the fast-moving consumer goods sector, including roles at the Leasing and Finance Company, Unilever Malawi, Coca-Cola, and Carlsberg.
Chilima leaves behind his wife and two children, marking a significant loss for his family and the nation.