Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete threatens Malawi over lake dispute

 

Tanzania is embroiled in a territorial wrangle with Malawi over the ownership of Lake Nyasa, which is known as Lake Malawi in the neighboring country.

Malawi, which sits to the west of Africa’s third-largest lake, claims the entire northern half of the lake while Tanzania, to the east, says it owns half of the northern area. The southern half is shared between Malawi and Mozambique.

Anyone who tries to provoke our country will face consequences .. President Kikwete

“Anyone who tries to provoke our country will face consequences … Our country is safe and the army is strong and ready to defend our country,” said Kikwete without directly mentioning the Malawi border dispute, in a speech to mark the country’s national heroes’ day celebrations.

“We will not allow anyone to mess with our country, or try to take away our territory. We will deal with them just as we dealt with [former Ugandan ruler Idi] Amin,” he added.

The Tanzanian army helped topple Amin in 1979 after he invaded part of Tanzania’s territory.

Kikwete’s remarks come after his Malawian counterpart, President Joyce Banda, told mediators this month her government would not accept any interim deal on the disputed boundary with Tanzania until the wrangle over sovereignty is settled.

Banda also said her government would not entertain any interim agreement on Tanzania usage of the lake until the issue was resolved. President Banda

Banda also said her government would not entertain any interim agreement on Tanzania usage of the lake until the issue was resolved.

Tanzania has repeatedly assured their citizens to continue using the lake without any fear.

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