By Cathy Maulidi:
The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has joined Malawi in mourning Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in an aircraft accident on Monday this week.
In his condolence message, PAP President Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira described Chilima as “a gallant son of the soil who dedicated his life to serving his country”.
“Africa has lost a larger-than-life character who brought style and swagger into public office,” Charumbira said.
Chilima’s rise to the second-highest public office in Malawi inspired hope among the youth and rekindled the zeal for youth participation and inclusion in the national governance framework, according to Charumbira.
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“Though he has gone too soon, it is our hope that the people of Malawi will draw inspiration from his relatively brief but impactful life in public office,” Charumbira added.
He then urged the people of Malawi to rededicate themselves to the values of Ubuntu [‘I am because we are’], which “Chilima held dear”.
Several international organisations and foreign governments have also sent their condolence messages to Malawi in the wake of the Vice President’s death.
Chairperson for the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat said he was saddened to learn that the search and rescue mission for the missing aircraft carrying Chilima and eight others had found no survivors.
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Mahamat extended his condolences to the bereaved families and the government and people of Malawi at “this great national loss”.
Other people who died together with Chilima in the crash are Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, Daniel Kanyemba and Abdul Lapukeni.
The flight crew comprised MDF officers Pilot in Command Colonel Owen Sambalopa, Second in Command Major Flora Selemani and Major Wales Aidini, who was the aircraft engineer.
Meanwhile, President Lazarus Chakwera declared 21 days of national mourning in honour of the deceased.
The body of Chilima is expected to be laid to rest in his home village in Ntcheu on Monday next week
