Malawi vows to continue oil-gas exploration on disputed lake

Malawi vowed Tuesday to press on with oil and gas exploration on Lake ...

Malawi vowed Tuesday to press on with oil and gas exploration on Lake Malawi, dismissing a demand by Tanzania, which claims half of the lake, to halt prospecting.

"We categorically put it to them (Tanzania) that as far as we are concerned, the entire lake belongs to Malawi," Patrick Kabambe, principal secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs, said in a statement.

"So our view is that there is no reason to stop the project," he added.

Tanzania has claimed that 50 percent of the lake which forms its border with Malawi is part of its territory.

Tanzanian Foreign Minister Benard Membe last week told domestic media that "exploration activities in the northeast part of the lake should be shelved to pave way for the ongoing discussions to resolve the crisis."

Malawi, a former British colony, and Tanzania, once ruled by Germany, are due to hold talks on the disputed border in the northern Malawian town of Mzuzu on August 20.

Kabambe cited a 1890 agreement between the former colonial powers that stipulates the border between the two countries as lying along the Tanzanian shore of the waters of Lake Malawi.

"Our terms are very clear on this, but we will continue to engage with Tanzania as a good neighbour," Kabambe said.

Mozambique also owns part of the lake.

In September last year, the government of Malawi's late president Bingu wa Mutharika awarded a British firm, Surestream Petroleum, a licence to prospect for oil and gas on the giant lake.

The company has been conducting an environmental impact assessment.

The 29,600 square kilometre lake is Africa's third-largest freshwater lake. In Tanzania, the lake is called Lake Nyasa, which is taken from Malawi's colonial name.

Source:http://www.rnw.nl

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Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Mhe. Bernard K. Membe (MB) akifurahia jambo na Waziri mwenzake wa Malawi, Mhe. Ephraim Chiume katika Hoteli ya Hyatt Regency, jijini Dar es salaam. Katikati pichani ni Balozi wa Malawi nchini Tanzania.

Baada ya Mazungumzo hayo Walitoa Press release hii hapa chini.....

JOINT MEETING OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOUNDARY ISSUES FOR TANZANIA AND MALAWI, 27TH -28TH JULY, 2012 DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

1. Following the invitation of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, to the Republic of Malawi, a Joint Meeting of Ministers responsible for Boundary issues in the two countries took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 27 to 28 July, 2012.

2. The purpose of the Meeting was to revive the stalled negotiations on the delineation, demarcation, delimitation and re-affirmation of the boundary between Tanzania and Malawi on the Lake, and to set a roadmap and program of implementation for the boundary program. The Tanzania delegation was led by Hon. Bernard Kamillius Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Malawi delegation was led by Honourable Ephraim Mganda Chiume, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Malawi.

3. The two countries stressed on the importance of resolving the issue of their boundary on the Lake diplomatically.

4. The Ministers approved the roadmap and implementation program for the negotiations on the boundary issue.

5. The Ministers agreed that the Joint Team of Experts, the Joint Committee of Officials, and the Council of Ministers on the Malawi/Tanzania boundary meet in Mzuzu in the week commencing 20th August, 2012, for further negotiations on the issue.

Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation,

Dar es Salaam

28^th July 2012

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Filed Under: Jamii on Thursday, August 2, 2012