Plane crash that claimed the lives of Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others, the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), a key political party in Malawi, has formally requested the intervention of the United Nations (UN). The party, which is part of the coalition government led by President Lazarus Chakwera, has written to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, urging an international probe into the incident.
The crash, which occurred on Monday, also resulted in the deaths of the former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, several security officers, officials from the Vice President’s office, and the flight crew. In a letter dated Thursday, AFORD’s president Enoch Chihana emphasized the national significance of the tragedy, highlighting the political sensitivity surrounding Vice President Chilima’s death.
“The tragedy is a matter of national concern, given the involvement of a highly politically risky person,” Chihana wrote. He called for the UN’s intervention to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. Furthermore, AFORD has requested the support of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) to facilitate a comprehensive inquiry and bring proper closure to the incident.
AFORD has outlined three key points for consideration:
- Declaration of the plane crash site as a crime scene.
- Protection of the crash site from contamination by internationally delegated military personnel.
- A detailed and transparent investigation into the cause of the crash.
In response to the tragic event, Malawian Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu stated on Wednesday that both the Malawi Defense Force and the Malawi Police Service would conduct the investigation. Preliminary reports have cited bad weather as a potential cause of the crash.
President Chakwera has declared a 21-day period of national mourning and has called for calm and unity among all Malawians. In his address, he expressed deep sorrow over the loss and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.
The appeal for UN intervention underscores the gravity of the situation and the desire for an independent and transparent investigation. As Malawi navigates this period of mourning, the international community’s support is deemed crucial in ensuring justice and accountability for the victims of this devastating incident.
