AFORD president Enoch Chihana calls on UN, SADC,AU to investigate VP Chilima’s fatal plane crash

By Chisomo Phiri

Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) President Enock Chihana has called on the United Nations(UN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) to support the investigation of the military plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others near Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba on Monday June 10, 2024.

In a statement addressed to UN Secretary General
António Guterres,Chihana is requesting the above mentioned international bodies to  declare the plane crash site as a crime scene, and therefore, protected from
contamination through internationally delegated military personnel,do a thorough forensic investigation into the
events surrounding the plane crash and the death Chilima and
others, and establish an urgent constitution of an internationally managed process of the Commission of Inquiry that
should form part of the information gathering related to the late Chilima’s
travel and other related arrangements.

Rea

Chihana and Mtambo joined in the search for the plane

ds the statement in part :”As AFORD, we feel obliged to call for the above urgent actions for Malawi is under a period of
speculation on the events surrounding the death of Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and the
other distinguished eight passengers.

“As a peace abiding political party, it is within our duty to support a
process that hinges toward peace and prosperity for our beloved Malawi.

“Our call for a fully
internationally supported and managed action as presented above, is key for the nation of Malawi to
have full confidence of closure on the plane crash accident.”

It adds:”The AFORD, its entire National Executive Committee, and all its structures in all
Regions and Districts of Malawi, together with many peace-loving Malawians, fully support this call for
urgent international community support.

“AFORD, through its delegated representatives,is open to avail
itself of this internationally managed action with information on areas of concern surrounding the plane
crash, the search operation, and how the communication to the nation was managed.
We look forward to your response to our urgent call to action and assure you of our highest
considerations.”

The late Chilima will be laid to rest on Monday next week at his home village in Ntcheu.