Malawi’s most renowned and celebrated Governance and Human Rights Advocate Undule Mwakasungula has described as a missed opportunity a decision by the UTM Party to boycott the launch of the Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) Foundation.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera and Madam Mary Chilima, widow to departed former State Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, on Wednesday night led hundreds of Malawians in launching the foundation in Lilongwe.
It was the expectation of Malawians that UTM Party, a party late Chilima spearheaded its formation and later led as its president, would attend that event, which others described as key in honouring the SKC legacy. But this was not the case, with the party current leader, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, telling the nation through a press briefing earlier in the day that they would not attend because they are still mourning Chilima’s death.
Kabambe further claimed that his party followers would not associate themselves with the people who hold answers to the plane crash that killed the former Vice President and eight others.
But reacting to the news, Mwakasungula said UTM Party had missed an opportunity to demonstrate its maturity in leadership.
“This decision, reportedly prompted by the invitation of His Excellency President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and the First Lady as guests of honor, is deeply disappointing and a missed opportunity for the party’s to demonstrate maturity in leadership. It is important to note that Mary Chilima, the widow of Dr. Chilima, extended an olive branch to promote peace, healing, and national unity,” he reacted.
Mwakasungula said inviting the Head of State to this event was a bold and gracious decision Madam Chilima made in an effort to build bridges and commemorate her late husband’s enduring legacy.
He said it was therefore surprising that instead of supporting this inclusive approach, UTM’s leadership chose a path that appears emotional, divisive, and counterproductive.
“The question might be why is UTM leadership crying louder than the widow while the widow has extended the hand of peace? One must remember that the late Dr. Saulos Chilima himself, even when facing corruption trials, displayed statesmanship by attending government events and fulfilling his obligations as Vice President. His actions reflected his commitment to Malawi’s progress and his understanding of the greater good. Boycotting an event that seeks to honor the party founder’s life and vision, UTM’s leadership missed an opportunity to demonstrate the same level of maturity and leadership,” emphasized Mwakasungula.
He added that UTM’s decision is not just a disservice to Mary Chilima’s effort to preserve her late husband’s memory, but also a failure to honor the legacy of SKC, whose leadership and contributions laid the foundation for the party.
According to Mwakasungula, attending the launch would have been a moment for the party to showcase unity, pay tribute to its founder, and promote a spirit of reconciliation and national development.
“Furthermore, this event could have been an ideal platform for UTM’s leadership to build goodwill with the public. It would have sent a strong message of political maturity and collaboration in the interest of national healing. UTM’s leadership should have reflected on their decision and consider the broader implications of the boycott. True leadership requires putting aside differences for the greater good, just as SKC exemplified during his lifetime.
“While today marks a missed opportunity, it is the anticipation of many Malawians that UTM’s leadership will take future opportunities to honor the spirit of SKC in a manner befitting his legacy,” said Mwakasungula.
There was no immediate comment from Kabambe and the UTM Party.