By Mercy Matonga:
Former vice president the late Saulos Chilima’s UTM is expected to return to the drawing board this week to map out the party’s future, with meetings scheduled for its top officials.
The death of Chilima in an aircraft crash on June 10 has left what is seen as a significant void in the party, whose senior officials indicated recently that it would compete in the 2025 elections, making the party’s leader the presumptive presidential candidate.
Chilima’s running mate in the 2019 poll, Michael Usi, has been appointed to the State vice presidency, but the party leadership position remains vacant.
UTM postponed discussions on succession to mourn Chilima, but The Daily Times understands that the party is now preparing for deliberations on who should lead it.
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It also aims to address several challenges, including its future in the current administration and its approach to the 2025 elections.
Sources suggest that these discussions, particularly regarding the party leadership in an acting capacity before an elective convention, will be debated at the Executive Committee meeting scheduled for this Friday.
Ahead of this meeting, Usi is expected to meet with the party’s secretary general (SG) Patricia Kaliati today to discuss the agenda and other administrative matters in advance, according to sources.
In an interview Monday, UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala confirmed both meetings, noting that the postponements were due to the mourning period.
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Njawala said the Friday meeting will also address rescheduling the party’s convention, originally planned for December this year.
“We, as a party, are hoping to convene this coming Friday to discuss our way forward and set new dates for our convention. Initially, it was planned for December but, due to recent events, it may be brought forward,” Njawala said.
He confirmed that prior to Friday’s meeting, Kaliati and Usi will meet today to finalise details regarding the Executive Committee meeting.
“But the Central Committee is already proposing that the meeting should take place on Friday. So, hopefully, the meeting is on Friday but, still, the SG and the Vice President will meet tomorrow,” Njawala said.
He mentioned that there is currently significant interest from individuals wishing to contest for various positions during the convention, but did not provide specifics on the guidelines, citing ongoing deliberations regarding fees.
Earlier last month, UTM had announced that its senior officials would convene on June 21 to discuss the party’s future following Chilima’s death.
However, the meeting was postponed due to the 21-day mourning period declared by President Lazarus Chakwera.
The days concluded on July 1.
According to the UTM constitution, in the event of the president’s death, the vice president—in this case, Usi—automatically ascends to the presidency, among other provisions.
Meanwhile, political commentator Wonderful Mkhutche has described the decision by the party to address its future as crucial.
“UTM must reorganise itself promptly after the sudden death of Chilima. The party’s supporters are uncertain about what lies ahead,” Mkhutche said.
He applauded Usi’s involvement, saying it demonstrates his commitment to engaging with the party leadership as promised.
Mkhutche also supported the idea of UTM holding the convention earlier, stressing the need for fresh perspectives within the party’s leadership.
“The party was heavily centred around Chilima. But this time, it has to make sure it spreads itself around through effective structures on the ground,” he said.
He further highlighted the uncertainty among UTM followers regarding the Tonse Alliance and urged the party to engage in candid discussions with Malawi Congress Party and other allies about the alliance’s future.
Mkhutche underscored the importance of UTM reorganising itself independently rather than around an alliance, citing past reliability issues.
Chilima tragically died in a military aircraft crash in Chikangawa Forest while returning to Lilongwe from Mzuzu, where adverse weather conditions had reportedly prevented landing attempts.
The late vice president was en route to Nkhata Bay to attend the burial of former Justice minister Ralph Kasambara, who died on June 7 due to a heart attack.
Others who lost their lives alongside SKC, as Chilima was known by his supporters, included former first fady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, who was serving in the vice president’s office.
