Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has appointed Michael Usi as the new vice president following the tragic death of former Vice President Saulos Chilima in a plane crash last week.
Chilima, along with nine others, lost their lives when the military plane they were traveling in crashed in a forest on June 10. Chilima was expected to run against Chakwera in next year’s presidential election.
Usi, who previously served as the minister of natural resources and climate change, will be sworn into office on Friday. He was a close ally of Chilima, having also served as his running mate.
This appointment comes as a shock to many in Malawi, as the country mourns the loss of Chilima and his colleagues. The new vice president will now have big shoes to fill as he steps into this important role in the government.
