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Opposition Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Chakufwa Chihana, who died Monday morning at Garden City Clinic in South Africa where he underwent a brain operation, will be accorded a state funeral, State House has said.
This will be preceded by a five-day mourning period starting from Monday.
A State House statement said government has decided to accord the fallen Aford leader state honour in recognition of his sacrifice and contribution to the nation.
“During this period the Malawi flag shall fly at half mast,” added the statement.
In an earlier interview, government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati observed that Chihana played “an immensely important role” in the country’s attainment of democracy. She said it is only in order for government to give him the honour reflecting his status and position in the country’s history.
“It’s a tragedy that we have lost him. It’s sad news because we have lost such type of person who brought change. Apart from being Aford president, Chihana was also the country’s Second Vice-President at some point. As such, he deserves state honour,” said Kaliati.
Chihana’s daughter-in-law Loveness Gondwe, who sounded too grieved to speak, said information on burial arrangements will be released later as the details were being worked out.
“Yes, I can confirm that Honourable Chihana has died. Right now, I am rushing to the airport,” said Gondwe.
With Chihana’s death, Gondwe is the only Aford MP in the National Assembly, following the defection of four others to President Bingu wa Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Meanwhile, political analysts and civil society have described Chihana’s death as a big blow to the nation, praising him for contributing significantly to the fight for political change.
Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee (Pac) Boniface Tamani agreed that Chihana deserves a state funeral, adding that he was also a unionist who stood by his principles during the fight against dictatorship.
Tamani said during the struggle, the country needed courageous people like Chihana to challenge the dictatorial government at that time.
“I think the change that we have in the country, I can say apart from the Catholic Bishops, can be attributed to Chakufwa Chihana for what he did. He was very courageous and I would say very instrumental to change,” said Tamani.
On the future of Aford, Tamani said the new leadership would determine whether or not the once might party would survive, following Chihana’s demise.
Political analyst Nandini Patel said the country has lost a great son, and it was befitting to honour him with a state funeral.
“The country has certainly lost a great person. He played a very important role at the time of his association with the trade union movement. It’s a fact that for the past 10 years, Aford was one of the strong opposition parties,” said Patel.
“For all these, Mr. Chihana will not be forgotten, the country has definitely lost a great son,” said Patel.
Patel was optimistic that Aford can survive without Chihana, especially if all supporters, including those in the diaspora, came together to strengthen the party.
Former President Bakili Muluzi, currently in the United Kingdom, said in a statement released by his office Monday that Malawians need to mourn Chihana with respect for his contribution to the birth of multi-party politics.
“As you know, the late Dr. Chihana played a very significant role in the democratisation process in Malawi. For many years he sacrificed his own personal liberty, happiness and good life for the people of Malawi.
“He fought gallantly and vigorously to change the system of politics from one party rule to multipatyism,” said Muluzi.
The Nation last month reported that Chihana travelled to South Africa after complaining of a persistent headache.
Aford’s national chairman Chipimpha Mughogho was quoted to have said family members informed him then that Chihana was put in intensive care unit after a successful brain operation.
According to a party press statement released Monday, Chihana died “at about 08.00 hours” Monday.
“Burial arrangements will be communicated as soon as all funeral logistics are in place,” said the statement, signed by publicity secretary Norman Nyirenda.
Chihana, coming from a trade union background, entered active politics when he challenged Kamuzu Banda’s dictatorship and called for a national referendum to allow people choose between one party and multiparty systems of government.
After attending a meeting in 1992 in Lusaka, Zambia, organised by the United Front for Multiparty Democracy (UFMD) aimed at campaigning for human rights and democracy in Malawi, Chihana was arrested at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe and charged with sedition for calling the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) “the party of death and darkness.”
He spent 14 months in prison, first at Zomba Central Prison and later at Mikuyu Detention Prison. He was released on June 12, 1993, two days before the national referendum.
Until his death, Chihana was Aford MP for Rumphi Central.
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