Lake Malawi dispute talks resume

High level mediation team on Lake Malawi boundary dispute has been given an ultimatum of 3 months to consult presidents of Malawi and Tanxania on new resolution.

Leader of the team Joachim Chisano former president of Mozambique said in spirit of seeking a solution on the dispute the two delegations accepted the proposal to brief and consult the presidents.

According to a press statement released by Ministry of foreign affairs after the two day meeting in South Africa, Malawi delegation restated its position that the Lake Malawi boundary is the shoreline.

Led by Minister of foreign affairs Francis Kasaira Malawi delegation opposed the unacceptable conduct of making unilateral decisions such as production of maps to change the current boundary.

“Accompanied by Minister of Justice Samuel Tembenu and other government officials Kasaira expressed government’s commitment of respecting African boundaries existing at the time of independence in consonance with African union declarations,” reads the statement.

The high level mediation team asserted that both parties should avoid taking provocative actions which can escalate tension.

The mediation process was also facilitated by former president of South Africa Thabo Mbeki.

The meeting was a follow-up to last meeting which was held in Maputo in 2014.