PRESS RELEASE The Malawi Government has formally protested to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania following

reports that the Tanzanian Government wants to deploy two ships on Lake Malawi. On 20th May, 2013, during Parliament Session, Dr. Harris Mwakayembe, Minister of Transport of the United Republic of Tanzania, told the August House that his Government will purchase six new passenger ships and two of them will be deployed on Lake Malawi. He indicated that plans to bring the new ships were at an advanced stage. Similar statements were reiterated by the Secretary General of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Mr. Adulrahman Kinana, at a political rally that the Government has started making arrangements for the purchase of ships, which will be launched on Lake Malawi before the next general elections.

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The Malawi Government has, in its protest note to Tanzania, condemned these statements as this runs counter to the spirit and intent of the mediation process taking place on the Malawi-Tanzania dispute over the Lake boundary. The Malawi Government found these developments unfortunate, especially coming at a time when the mediation process over the boundary dispute is going smoothly. This development notwithstanding, the Malawi Government reaffirms its commitment that the issue be resolved amicably through the ongoing mediation. However, for this to be achieved, the Malawi Government stressed that the two parties need to desist from acts or statements that will erode trust from the mediation process. The Malawi Government, therefore, urges the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to desist from launching vessels or indeed undertaking any acts on the disputed territory, as this will jeopardize the current mediation process.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Lilongwe, Malawi Saturday, 1st June 2013

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