Southern Africa elects retired presidents Chissano and Mbeki to mediate in Malawi Tanzania border dispute

Officials in Malawi and Tanzania have gone on the record and vowed to resolve their border dispute diplomatically.

The dispute involves the owner ship of Lake Malawi which straddles both countries and the rights of both nations regarding the resources available in the lake.

Malawi announced late last year that it had began oil exploration on the lake – however, Tanzania has revealed that the exploration extends into its half of the lake, and wants the exploration halted until ownership of the fresh water body is determined.

Former presidents Joachim Chissano of Mozambique and Thabo Mbeki of South African will on Sunday visit Lilongwe (Malawi) to jump-start mediation on the Malawi-Tanzania lake border dispute.

Chissano and Mbeki who were selected for the mediation role by the Southern Africa Development Corporation will meet with Malawi President Joyce Banda, and then follow up with a meeting with Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete.

This is part of the consultation process as the former leaders are gathering information regarding the lake dispute.

Malawi continues to dispute Tanzania’s claim of ownership of part of Lake Malawi. The two countries referred the matter to the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) Forum of Former Heads of State and Government, which is headed by Mr Chissano.