https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240611/malawis-vice-president-chilima-dies-in-airplane-crash-1066990868.html
Malawi's Vice President Chilima Dies in Airplane Crash
Malawi's Vice President Chilima Dies in Airplane Crash
Sputnik Africa
On Monday morning, the aircraft carrying Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima disappeared from radar after taking off from the airport in the capital... 11.06.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-06-11T14:38+0200
2024-06-11T14:38+0200
2024-06-11T14:53+0200
malawi
sub-saharan africa
southern africa
lazarus chakwera
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airplane crash
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Vice President of Malawi Saulos Chilima and other passengers of the crashed plane did not survive the accident, the nation's president, Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, said.After the plane disappeared from radar, two hundred soldiers were deployed to search for it, according to Malawi military commander-in-chief Paul Valentino Phiri. However, the search operation was complicated by the fact that the area of the disappearance was not inhabited, and it was very foggy in the morning.Malawi's neighboring countries have offered to help in the search, including sending drones. The US, UK, Israel, and Norway also proposed assistance.The aircraft, with the vice president, former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, and seven other individuals on board, departed from the capital at 9:17 am on Monday and was scheduled to arrive at Mzuzu International Airport, which is around 370 kilometers to the north, 45 minutes later.According to Chakwera's live speech on state TV station MBC, air traffic control instructed the plane not to make a landing and to change direction due to bad weather conditions and limited visibility.Mzuzu is the third-largest city in Malawi and serves as the capital of the northern region — a topographically varied and densely wooded area primarily characterized by the prominent Viphya mountain range, known for its extensive pine tree plantations.The entourage was on its way to attend the funeral of former government minister Ralph Kasambara, who passed away four days ago.Chilima's Political CareerChilima assumed the position of vice president in 2020 and gained significant popularity in Malawi, especially among the younger generation, according to the AFP news agency.His political career began in May 2014, when he stood as a vice presidential candidate in the presidential election in tandem with Peter Mutharika, who was running for the top office in the centrist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Their tandem won, receiving 36.4% of the vote. In the government formed by Mutharika, Chilima also served as Minister of Disaster Management Affairs.In 2019, he ran for the presidency, but took third place, while Mutharika again became the winner, which provoked a political crisis in the country. In February 2020, by a decision of the Constitutional Court of Malawi, his victory in the elections was annulled due to the discovery of fraud.In the new 2020 elections, Chilima ran as a vice presidential candidate in tandem with Lazarus Chakwera (the center-right Malawi Congress Party). They won, and in the new government, Chilima also served as Minister of Economic Planning and Development and Public Services Reforms.In 2022, Saulos Chilima was charged with corruption. The indictment alleged that he assisted two foreign companies in obtaining government contracts in Malawi. In May 2024, the charges were dropped.
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malawi, southern africa, lazarus chakwera, death, accident, airplane crash, politics
malawi, southern africa, lazarus chakwera, death, accident, airplane crash, politics
Malawi's Vice President Chilima Dies in Airplane Crash
14:38 11.06.2024 (Updated: 14:53 11.06.2024) On Monday morning, the aircraft carrying Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima disappeared from radar after taking off from the airport in the capital, Lilongwe. There were nine other people on board.
Vice President of
Malawi Saulos Chilima and other passengers of the crashed plane did not survive the accident, the nation's president, Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, said.
"The search and rescue team have found the aircraft [...] completely destroyed with no survivors, as all passengers on board were killed on impact," Chakwera said. "Words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is."
After the plane disappeared from radar, two hundred soldiers were deployed to search for it, according to Malawi
military commander-in-chief Paul Valentino Phiri. However, the search operation was complicated by the fact that the area of the disappearance was not inhabited, and it was very foggy in the morning.
Malawi's neighboring countries have offered to help in the search, including sending drones. The US, UK,
Israel, and Norway also proposed assistance.
The aircraft, with the vice president, former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, and seven other individuals on board, departed from the capital at 9:17 am on Monday and was scheduled to arrive at Mzuzu International Airport, which is around 370 kilometers to the north, 45 minutes later.
According to Chakwera's live speech on state TV station MBC, air traffic control instructed the plane not to make a landing and to change direction due to bad weather conditions and limited visibility.
Mzuzu is the third-largest city in Malawi and serves as the capital of the northern region — a topographically varied and densely wooded area primarily characterized by the prominent Viphya
mountain range, known for its extensive pine tree plantations.
The entourage was on its way to attend the
funeral of former government minister Ralph Kasambara, who passed away four days ago.
Chilima's Political Career
Chilima assumed the position of vice president in 2020 and gained significant popularity in Malawi, especially among the younger generation, according to the AFP news agency.
His political career began in May 2014, when he stood as a vice presidential candidate in the presidential
election in tandem with Peter Mutharika, who was running for the top office in the centrist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Their tandem won, receiving 36.4% of the vote. In the government formed by Mutharika, Chilima also served as Minister of Disaster Management Affairs.
In 2019, he ran for the presidency, but took third place, while Mutharika again became the winner, which provoked a political crisis in the country. In February 2020, by a decision of the Constitutional Court of Malawi, his victory in the elections was annulled due to the discovery of fraud.
In the new 2020 elections, Chilima ran as a vice presidential candidate in tandem with
Lazarus Chakwera (the center-right Malawi Congress Party). They won, and in the new government, Chilima also served as Minister of Economic Planning and Development and Public Services Reforms.
In 2022, Saulos Chilima was charged with
corruption. The indictment alleged that he assisted two foreign companies in obtaining government contracts in Malawi. In May 2024, the charges were dropped.
