A military aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima, has been reported missing after it failed to make a scheduled landing on Monday morning. The government has issued an urgent statement confirming the loss of contact with the plane.
The aircraft, which departed shortly after 9:00 am local time (0700 GMT), had on board 51-year-old Vice President Chilima along with nine other individuals. The aircraft went off the radar shortly after takeoff, and all efforts by aviation authorities to re-establish communication have been unsuccessful.
President Lazarus Chakwera, in a swift response to the crisis, has mandated both regional and national forces to initiate an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the missing aircraft. This directive underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency with which the Malawian government is treating the disappearance.
In light of the unfolding crisis, President Chakwera has cancelled his planned working visit to the Bahamas, demonstrating his commitment to oversee the search efforts personally and ensure every possible resource is mobilized.
This incident comes in the wake of a turbulent period for Vice President Chilima. In 2022, he was stripped of his powers following his arrest and subsequent charges of graft in connection with a bribery scandal involving a British-Malawian businessman. However, the Malawian court dropped these charges last month after Chilima’s compliance with several court appearances, marking a significant development in his political career.
The disappearance of the aircraft marks a critical moment for Malawi, as the nation holds its breath for news of the Vice President and the others on board. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, offering support and solidarity during this challenging time.
