LILONGWE — Dalitso Kabambe, the UTM Party’s presidential candidate, has conceded defeat in Malawi’s general election and congratulated former president Peter Mutharika on what appears to be a decisive victory. In a statement released late on Monday, Kabambe acknowledged unofficial results showing Mutharika in the lead. Kabambe appealed to Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party supporters to celebrate peacefully and called on all stakeholders to prioritise unity. The Malawi Electoral Commission has yet to release final results, but tallies from 13 of the 36 local government councils place Mutharika comfortably ahead. Kabambe, who took over UTM leadership after the death of former vice-president Saulos Chilima in a military plane crash last June, urged Mutharika to order an independent inquiry into the tragedy.