Malawi’s VP missing before 60th Independence.

By Jacqueline W. Kalipeni

LILONGWE, MALAWI — As Malawi approaches the 60th anniversary of its independence on July 6, 2024, the nation is struck by a startling and distressing development. This morning, news broke that the plane carrying the Vice President of Malawi, the Honorable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, has gone missing. A rescue operation is currently underway to locate the aircraft.

This incident sharply reminds me of my own family’s escape from Malawi. We fled during the reign of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) under the first president, His Excellency the Honorable Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Banda declared Malawi a one-party state in 1966, and by 1970, the MCP had named him President for Life. It was under his oppressive regime that my father, the late Dr. Ezekiel Kalipeni, an academic whose intellect threatened the government, was exiled.

One fateful night at the end of June, government agents came to our home and killed our dog, leaving my mother and her three children with no option but to leave the country as quickly as possible. We had to join my father in America, who had already been exiled. This harrowing experience has left an indelible mark on my life.

Today, Vice President Chilima embarked on a journey to pay his final respects to his friend, the Honorable Ralph Kasambara. The flight, which was supposed to take just an hour from Lilongwe to Mzuzu, has not reached its destination. The Vice President’s fate remains uncertain, leaving the nation in a state of fear and speculation.

This incident occurs amid global unrest, with conflicts raging in multiple countries and domestic turmoil in various states across America. It is a poignant reminder of the fragility of peace and stability.

Malawians within the country and in the diaspora must meticulously document these events. Upholding accountability and demanding transparency is imperative, especially as the nation prepares for elections in less than a year. We must ensure that the truth prevails and that such a significant event is never forgotten.

To those in Malawi, use your phones to record and share what is happening. For those in the diaspora, it is time to share your stories. How did you end up where you are? Why did you leave Malawi, and why have you not returned?

Our thoughts and prayers are with Madam Chilima during this difficult time. When she is ready, we will be here to tell her story.