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Leaders from across Africa sent their condolences to the government and people of Malawi following the death of Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine other people in a plane crash.

African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said he was “deeply saddened to learn that the search and rescue mission for the missing aircraft carrying H.E. Saulus Claus Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi and nine other occupants, found no survivors.”

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said she had received the news of Chilima’s tragic death with great sadness.

“On behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania, I convey our deepest condolences to His Excellency President Lazarus Chakwera, the people of the Republic of Malawi, family and friends,” Suluhu said in a statement posted on X.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also released a statement in which he assured the Malawian nation of Nigeria’s support during this time of mourning, as well as and praying for the repose of the souls of the departed.

Former Malawian president, Joyce Banda wrote on X: “I am saddened by the tragic death of our Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, his security officers in the picture, other govt officials and 3 Malawi Defense Force crew. This is trying time for the country & I join Lazarus Chakwera in mourning the departed souls.”

South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters Party also paid tribute to the late Chilima saying: “The EFF sends it’s condolences to the people of Malawi on the tragic passing of their Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, and nine other citizens in a plane crash.”

Namibia’s opposition leader McHenry Venaani hailed Chilima as an “erudite and pragmatic” leader, adding that his death was a “colossal” loss to the country.

“He was dear brother and a thinker of note. May his family and party accept my deepest condolences with deep empathy and sympathy on his great soul.”

The president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina said Chilima’s death was a “tragic loss”.

“Extremely saddened that my brother, H.E. Dr. Saulos Chilima, Vice President of Malawi died in a plane crash, with his wife and 7 other people,” Adesina said.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also posted a statement on X saying he was “saddened by the tragic death of Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima, his wife and 8 other passengers in the airplane crash.”