Malawi protests at Tanzania lake move

As the wrangle over Lake Malawi between Lilongwe and Dodoma rages on, Tanzania has again gone on the offensive with plans to deploy two ships on the disputed lake.

Tanzanian Minister for Transport Harrison Mwakyembe told Parliament on May 20 that the government would acquire six passenger ships, which will be deployed on lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria with each lake getting two of the vessels.

Mwakyembe said the move to bring in the new ships on the three lakes was aimed at ensuring that the country has reliable marine transport.

But Malawi has protested Tanzania’s intention to deploy two ships on Lake Malawi.

Lilongwe argues that the decision runs counter to the spirit and intent of the mediation process taking place on the Malawi-Tanzania dispute over the lake boundary.

Capital Hill has described the plan as unfortunate, especially that it comes at a time when the mediation process is going on smoothly.

“The Malawi Government, therefore, urges the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to desist from launching vessels or indeed undertaking any acts on the disputed territory, as this will jeopardise the current mediation process,” says Malawi in a press statement released on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The statement says the Malawi Government learnt that on May 20 2013, during Parliament meeting, Mwakyembe told that country’s august House that his government will purchase six new passenger ships and two of them will be deployed on Lake Malawi.

The statement says Mwakyembe indicated that plans to bring the new ships were at an advanced stage in the statement.

Similar statements were reiterated by the secretary general of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Adulrahman Kinana, at a political rally that the government has started making arrangements for the purchase of ships, which will be launched on Lake Malawi before the next general elections, adds the statement.

Malawi, however, reaffirms its commitment that the issue be resolved amicably through the ongoing mediation.

“However, for this to be achieved, the Malawi Government stresses that the two parties need to desist from acts or statements that will erode trust from the mediation process,” says the statement.

Malawi, recently, returned to talks with Tanzania aimed at resolving the border dispute over Lake Malawi that has soured relations and delayed exploration for oil and gas.

The Malawi-Tanzania border dispute talks are being mediated by Mozambique’s former president Joachim Chissano, who is chairperson of the Sadc forum of retired Heads of State.

Malawi angered Tanzania in 2011 when it awarded exploration licences to UK-based Surestream Petroleum to search for oil in the disputed northern area.