By Burnett Munthali
The tragic death of Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima in a plane crash on June 10, 2024, sent shockwaves throughout Malawi and left an enormous leadership vacuum in the United Transformation Movement (UTM), the political party he founded in 2018.
Chilima, a charismatic and reform-driven leader, had positioned UTM as a youthful, energetic, and progressive force in Malawian politics, gaining significant traction among urban voters, youth, and disenchanted professionals.
His passing not only left the nation mourning but also forced the UTM to confront an urgent and complex question: what next for the party without its visionary founder?
Internally, the party has entered a period of soul-searching, with senior figures scrambling to chart a clear succession path that both honors Chilima’s legacy and keeps the party politically relevant ahead of the 2025 general elections.
Names such as Patricia Kaliati, UTM’s outspoken Publicity Secretary; Michael Usi, the current Minister of Natural Resources; and Newton Kambala, former Minister of Energy, have emerged as possible contenders for the top leadership post.
However, none of these figures commands the same nationwide appeal or political magnetism as Chilima, making the task of unifying and re-energizing the base significantly more difficult.
Analysts fear that the absence of a clear and widely accepted successor could fracture the party, especially given the existing factionalism and underlying tensions regarding leadership style and party direction.
Patricia Kaliati, while experienced and loyal, is viewed by some party insiders as polarizing, while others see her as a fearless defender of the UTM ideology who could rally the grassroots.
Michael Usi, popularly known as “Manganya,” has strong name recognition and public speaking skills, but his political gravitas and ability to navigate the treacherous waters of coalition politics remain uncertain.
Newton Kambala, though seasoned in business and governance, has a more technocratic appeal and may struggle to ignite the same populist energy that Chilima wielded.
The leadership question is further complicated by the fact that UTM was not just a political party but a movement deeply intertwined with Chilima’s personal brand and reform agenda.
For many supporters, UTM represented Chilima’s promise of a new political culture rooted in transparency, youth empowerment, and accountability—values that will be difficult to uphold without him at the helm.
On the other hand, some observers believe that this is an opportunity for UTM to evolve from a one-man show into a more democratic and institutionalized political force.
If the party can manage a peaceful transition and hold a transparent convention to elect new leadership, it may rebrand itself as a resilient, people-driven institution capable of enduring beyond its founder.
Moreover, the political vacuum in the Tonse Alliance, where Chilima served as a pivotal figure balancing power with President Lazarus Chakwera, now offers UTM a chance to renegotiate its relevance within or outside the coalition.
The way UTM handles this moment will also affect its electoral prospects in 2025, especially among youth who may either stay loyal to the party or shift allegiance to emerging opposition formations.
UTM’s national executive committee has announced plans to hold a consultative convention, a move seen by political commentators as critical to preventing internal implosion and restoring confidence among its supporters.
However, delays in convening this convention or signs of undemocratic leadership selection could trigger defections or erosion of public trust in the party’s ability to uphold its founding values.
Outside forces—including rival parties—are watching closely, some hoping to poach disgruntled UTM members and capitalize on any signs of weakness.
Chilima’s death has, undeniably, thrown UTM into its most defining crisis since inception, but it has also presented a rare moment to prove that the party can transcend personality politics.
Whether UTM emerges from this tragedy stronger or fractured will largely depend on how it navigates the next few months, the quality of leadership it promotes, and its ability to re-engage with its base.
In the end, the party’s future will be determined not by its past glories, but by the boldness, unity, and clarity with which it redefines itself in this new political chapter.
