Mutharika maintains Lake Malawi ownership non-negotiable: ‘No war with Tanzania’
Malawi President Peter Mutharika has maintained his position that has said the entire Lake Malawi, Tanzania calls Lake Nyasa, which is potentially rich in oil and gas is owned by Malawi, saying there is no need to negotiate the issue.
Mutharika – a law professor who also taught law in Tanzania – told a meeting of former president of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano and former president of Botswana Festus Mogae, who are members of Forum of Former African Heads of State and Government mediating in the Lake Malawi border dispute with neighbouring Tanzania, that whole lake belongs to Malawi emphasizing that not even an inch belongs to Tanzania.
“My position has not changed,” said President Mutharika.
The two former leaders, who arrived in Malawi Wednesday, briefed President Mutharika on the progress of mediation in the row.
Mutharika insisted that the whole lake belongs to Malawi emphasizing that not even an inch belongs to Tanzania.
“I informed the two leaders that to us there is no conflict between Malawi and Tanzania. I have stated that the issue about Lake Malawi is not negotiable and my position has not changed,” said the Malawi President.
He however pointed out that the position does not mean Malawi is ready to go to war with Tanzania.
“Our case on this matter is very clear according to the Helgoland Treaty of 1896 and the OAU resolution of 1985,” said President Mutharika.
He added, “I am confident and hopeful with the efforts of the mediation team of Presidents Chissano, Mogae and Thabo Mbeki so far, to help resolving this issue.”
Mutharika assured the Forum of his personal and government’s commitment to return to discussions with “our neighbours for an amicable and peaceful resolution” of this matter which he said, is in the best interest of the two nations.
Tanzania claim to half the lake – Africa’s third biggest – but Malawi disputes.
Malawi government previously hinted that if not resolved, it will got to International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Mutharika’s legal opinion also gives Malawi impetus to push the case to the ICJ if current mediation efforts by the Forum of Former Heads of State and Government fail.
Revered British judge Professor Rosalyn Higgins, QC, former ICJ head also gave a legal opinion which concludes that Malawi owns the entire lake.
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The fact is Malawi Northerners and Tanzania southerners are blood brothers, in this case we will not allow any one/issue to severe our relationship due to the imaginary borderline which benefits non of us. Southerners stop talking on behalf of people of North Malawi who shares the lake with TZ
Mijomba chamba ndi madrug amapweteka kwambiri
i support peter the lake belongs to us palibenso zokambilana apa
We don’t negotiate what is yours.So what are these illiterate crooked swahilis looking for?Ujanja with no brains.I support Pitala for taking a firm stance.
kuyankhula kwa chiyembekezo bwana
President Peter Mutharika of Malawi is very right when he says the whole North of Lake Malawi belongs to his country. It is due to the fact that the boundaries of Tanganyika (now Tanzania) and Malawi were established by the Helgoland treaty of 1890 show the whole north of the Lake belongs to Malawi, and these are the boundaries the citizens of Tanganyika and Malawi inherited when they inherited the independence of self-rule from the colonialists who created Tanganyika and Malawi. Therefore, unless Tanzania proofs otherwise that the map of the Tanganyika which secured the independence of self-rule from colonialists’… Read more »
u northeners ur foolish.anthu opepera anthu osavinidwa.muzatukuka inu?
muzalamura dziko inu.kayaaaaaaa!
nkhakamila, u r stupid, it seems u r sick m’mutu. your tribe must be of sick pple too.nonsense.
You malawi keep on dreaming!! we are going to destroy that village of africa called Malawi for only 1 hour.
Mark my words, we have been enjoying that lake for a long time.
You should just join Tanzania for good and your president can simply become MP.
Fuck….Fuck Fuck u nyerere
A nkhalapakati akutibwanji pamenepa popezatu ife tikatitakhwasula ndi chambosopano tidyanjichambo chathuchikatha kufa ndi mafutawo
That’s y you guys from the north simudza patsidwa chance to govern Malawi cos of ur selfish wishes.look around you people.