Tanzania can’t go to war with Malawi—envoy
Outgoing Tanzanian High Commissioner to Malawi, Patrick Tsere, has assured Malawians that his country will never go to war with Malawi over the Lake Malawi border issue.
Tsere said although people from both sides hold the view that they all have a share on the lake, the issue needs to be discussed soberly so that they reach a common understanding.
He was speaking at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre when he went to bid farewell to President Arthur Peter Mutharika, at the end of his five-year term as High Commissioner for Tanzania.
Tsere said Tanzanians are aware that Malawians are passionate about the lake and that even the country’s brand name comes from the lake.
“Tanzanians know that Malawians love the lake very much. But we also need to be aware that the border issue has been under discussion since 1967,” he disclosed.
Tsere added that the matter only came to light after late Bingu wa Mutharika.
“Tanzania and Malawi have always been talking about this issue but the talks were done quietly. They resurfaced in 2007 when late President Bingu wa Mutharika called his Tanzanian counterpart to restart the process. But we have always believed in talking not excessive use of words or thinking about going to war.
“Others were even up in arms, asking why the issue came to light only after Bingu’s death, no, we didn’t even bring it up then, it has a historical process and we were only following up on history,” he added.
Tsere encouraged Malawians and Tanzanians not to fear of a possible conflict due to a disagreement over the border issue.
“Even the statement that ‘the issue of the lake is not negotiable’ is not a hostile statement.” It’s what Malawi feels and we respect that,” he said.
The Tanzanian High Commissioner further said the two leaders are still in touch with the mediators and they seem to be agreeing with the mediator and will soon come to a common conclusion.
“But I can assure you that Tanzania can never go to war with Malawi. We can’t even imagine that we can shoot each other. We are cousins. It’s unthinkable for Tanzania to go to war with Malawi,” he said.
Tsere said he has been impressed with the current administration which he says is creating an impression that there is light at the end of the tunnel, despite economic challenges that the country is going through.
He said despite the country having political challenges, President Mutharika has put in place policies that will transform the lives of many Malawians.—STATE HOUSE PRESS OFFICE
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