Opposition gang up against Peter

Major opposition parties have ganged up against DPP leader Peter Mutharika, denouncing what they say is his politicisation of Malawi’s lake dispute with Tanzania.

The parties—Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF)—said in separate interviews on Tuesday that the Democratic Progressive Party leader should give dialogue a chance.

In a demonstration of rare bipartisanship, the parties also threw their weight behind Malawi President Joyce Banda, saying they support her position on the dispute.

The opposition parties’ stance has isolated Mutharika on a policy question that could dominate political discourse ahead of the 2014 Tripartite Elections.

Mutharika—a former Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister under his brother’s (Bingu) regime—is reported to have said at a rally this week that Dodoma is taking advantage of Lilongwe’s weak leadership to push for possession of a chunk of the lake that has historically belonged to Malawi.

He vowed that once he gets into power in May 2014, he will not tolerate Tanzania’s muscle flexing, a statement critics have equated to warmongering.

But in a telephone interview Tuesday, the DPP torchbearer said he was misunderstood and that his detractors have deliberately distorted his statements.

The DPP leader said: “Let this be clear. What I said was that the issue of the lake is not negotiable. I never said about going to war. I said we cannot give up the lake and that the lake should be used for the benefit of Malawians.”

In an interview, MCP spokesperson Jolly Kalelo said the lake dispute is a serious issue and must not be politicised.

He said Mutharika—being a presidential aspirant—should exercise caution when discussing sensitive matters in public.

Kalelo condemned Mutharika’s decision to make such a speech at a political podium when he did not turn up for consultative meetings President Banda convened not only to brief opposition leaders on the matter but also to seek their input.

UDF publicity secretary Ken Ndanga said UDF was in full support of the diplomatic strategy government is engaging in at the moment.

“Considering the sensitivity of the matter and as far as communication on the matter is concerned, UDF believes Malawi should speak with one voice through government spokesperson,” he said.

But in a telephone interview Mutharika said he does not recall saying the dispute was as result of weak leadership.

He said his position was that the lake is not negotiable as it has always belonged to Malawi; hence, it has to benefit Malawians.

Mutharika also wondered why his statement was being distorted to say he was declaring war when all he said was the lake was not negotiable.

He said he has sound knowledge of the law of boundaries and has even offered to help government with technical support.

Mutharika also quashed claims that he has been boycotting consultations on the lake dispute, arguing he has been sending representatives. He said he does not have to attend all meetings to make a difference.

Three weeks ago, the President, accompanied by opposition leaders, including leader of opposition in Parliament and MCP president John Tembo and leader of DPP in Parliament George Chaponda, met former president of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano and ex-South African president Thabo Mbeki on the issue.

Mutharika did not attend the meeting, but was seen addressing political rallies in the Northern Region.

Chissano, as chairperson of the 38-member African Forum of Former Heads of State, is the chief mediator in the dispute in a team comprising Mbeki and former president of Botswana Festus Mogae.

Malawi, which sits to the west of Africa’s third-largest lake, claims the entire north-eastern half of the lake whereas Tanzania, to the east, says it owns half of the northern area. The southern half is shared between Malawi and Mozambique.

The 50-year-old dispute reignited in 2011 when Malawi awarded exploration licences to UK-based Surestream Petroleum to search for oil and gas.

As a policy, the Joyce Banda administration has consistently indicated that Malawi is committed to resolving the long-running dispute with Tanzania, with whom it has strong and close ties, peacefully on the basis of accepted rules of international law.

But despite the conciliatory tone in position, the Banda government has also been firm in stating that it will under no circumstances cede an inch of Lake Malawi, saying the retracing of borders inherited from history could set a dangerous precedent for the whole continent.

The Nation

’s analysis of public statement from both countries shows that Lilongwe and Dodoma agree that only the guidance of the African Forum or the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJU) can bring peaceful, durable and acceptable solution.