If I were

Ephraim Mganda-Chiume

Minister of Foreign Affairs, I would advise the Tanzanian government that the issue of Lake Malawi has reached a sensitive stage; hence, the need to tackle it with a sober mind.

How I wish I were the Foreign Affairs minister, because I would advise my Tanzanian counterpart that the issue has the potential to affect the two countries’ relations. This means that contact and dialogue should be given a chance.

If only I were Mganda-Chiume, I would surely tell my Tanzanian counterpart that threats such as those made by one of his country’s MPs Edward Lowassa that his country is ready to go to war are unfortunate at this stage when the two countries are trying to solve the issue amicably.

If I were Hon. Chiume, I would further tell my Tanzanian counterpart that Lake Malawi belongs to Malawi as per the 1890 Heligoland Treaty signed by the two countries’ colonial rulers—Britain and Germany. It is, therefore, a matter of giving Caeser what belongs to Caeser!

Further to that, I would remind my Tanzanian counterpart that the heads of State of Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU), made a resolution in 1963 that member States should recognise and accept the borders that were inherited at the time of independence and therefore, the issue of threats will not help in the quest to come to a common understanding.

That is if only I were the man that is Ephraim Mganda-Chiume. Unfortunately, I am not him!

 

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garrychirwa@yahoo.co.uk   

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