Topic: Malawi and Tanzania to resolve the border issue over 'Lake Malawi' amicably

Rais wa Malawi bibi Joyce Banda leo tarehe 3/8/2012 atalihutubia taifa hilo kupitia vyombo vya habari vya nchi hiyo,

Kwa mujibu wa msemaji wa serikali ya Banda anasema, suala la mgogoro wa mpaka na Tanzania litakuwa miongoni mwa mambo muhimu atakayoyazungumza!

Ripoti za kijasu za Tz zinazopatikana kutoka Malawi zinasema kuwa Malawi imeshaivamia Tanzania na imeweka boti za kijeshi ziendazo kasi zenye makombora ya kilomita 5 katika Ziwa Nyasa na zinafanya doria usiku na Mchana.

Na kujiimarisha zaidi bibi Joyce Banda amefunga Special Military Rader kataka milima iliyopo upande wa kulia ukishaingia Malawi katika umbali usiozidi km 5 kutoka boda ya Kalonga.

Mama Banda ameshikilia kuwa wanajeshi wake waliopo katika ardhi ya Tanzania wataendelea kupiga doria usiku na mchana huku Meli za utafiti wa mafuta zikiendelea kuvinjari katika ukanda wa Tanzania, na haonyeshi kutikisika na kauli ya Tanzania kuwa asitishe utafiti wa mafuta ktk Tz!

Macho na masikio ya watz wote tuyaelekeze huko leo kujua je Mama anaingia Vitani au analegeza msimamo?

UPDATES:

Rais Joyce Banda ameahirish kulihutubia taifa juu ya mgogoro wa mpaka na Tanzani na kuumuagiza Waziri wake wa Mambo ya Kigeni Ndugu Ephraim Mganda Chiume kulieleza taifa:


Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ephraim Mganda Chiume said on Friday that Malawi and Tanzania would resolve the border issue over Lake Malawi amicably.

Briefing journalists through a prepared statement that he read at the Central Office of Information (COI) in Lilongwe, Chiume said Malawi was engaged in discussions with government of the United Republic of Tanzania to resolve the issue.

Said Chiume: “The nation is hereby informed that there are on-going discussions between our two countries and that the Malawi Government is determined to reach an amicable solution with the government of the United Republic of Tanzania.”

Chiume further said that Malawi has rightful claim to the whole lake basing on the Heligoland Treaty signed by Germany and Britain – Malawi and Tanzania’s old colonial masters.

The treaty defines the border between the two countries as being the edge of the waters on eastern shore of Lake Malawi.

The position of the Heligoland treaty according to Chiume, was further reinforced and adopted by resolutions of the African Union in 2002 and 2007 and its predecessor, the Organisation of African Union (OAU) in 1963 that states that ‘member states should recognize and recognize and accept the borders that were inherited at the time of independence.’

The treaty in part, on article one states that: “German sphere of influence…to the South by a line which, starting on coast at the Northern limit of Mozambique follows the course of the river Rovoma to the point of confluence of the Nsinje; hence it runs westwards along the parallel of that point till it reaches Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi]; hence striking Northward, it follows the eastern, Northern and Western shores of the lake to the northern bank of the mouth of the river Songwe.”

Chiume: No cause for anxiety

The Foreign Affairs Minister who was flanked by Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa, said that while they acknowledged Tanzania’s claim to half of the Lake basing on common law,

“It is Malawi’s position that the principle which Tanzania depends upon applies only where there is no treaty.”

No cause for alarm
Chiume also assured the nation that there should be no cause for anxiety or alarm as the two countries were engaged in discussions ‘so that an amicable solution is found on this long outstanding issue.’

In the statement Chiume also condemned the misrepresentation in both the local and international media that there was rising tension between Malawi and Tanzania.

“This is far from the truth because we are discussing in an open and cordial manner with a view of reaching an agreement,” said Chiume.

He also appealed to the media not to ‘cause unnecessary anxieties. Let us allow diplomacy to work,’ concluded Chiume.

Malawi and Tanzania have had rival claims over the lake from post-independence times and this has come to the fore over the recent gas and oil exploration licenses issued out by Malawi

By Mchambuzi

This is not a unique problem in Africa, kwani kati ya nchi 54 za Africa, nchi 48 zina matatizo ya namna hiyo ingawa on difference scales. Ni nchi sita tu za Africa leo hii hazina matatizo ya mipaka. Chanzo cha tatizo letu na Malawi goes back to late 1980s when the Anglo-German treaty was signed kuzuia ugomvi kati ya ujerumani na uingereza wakati ule wa colonial expansion. Wakati wa ukoloni, ilikuwa rahisi sana kwa British na Germans kuheshimu the treaty, lakini hali ikabadilika pale nchi zetu zilipopata uhuru. Tumekuwa na tatizo hili kwa miaka 48 kwani lilianza mwaka 1964, ni kwamba tu baada ya Mwalimu kuondoka na soko huria kuingia, kumekuwa na many developments to over shadow issue kama hii, hasa jumuiya ya SADC.

Vinginevyo, as we all know, Mwalimu Nyerere was a pro-active leader, sio kama viongozi waliomfuatia ambao wao kazi yao ni ku react after tatizo kutokea, badala ya kujaribu kulikinga au kulipunguza makali. Mwalimu alielewa mapema sana juu ya umuhimu wa negotiations to resolve the problem and he constantly came up with ideas on how our country and Malawi tungeweza kwa pamoja to share the resources ndani ya ziwa nyasa. Lakini pamoja na juhudi zote za Mwalimu, Rais wa wakati ule - Dr. Kamuzu Banda alikuwa mkaidi sana, kwa mfano kuna wakati alimjibu Mwalimu kama ifuatavyo:

“We will never recognize or accept this claim: we will never agree to the suggestion or proposal. The Lake has always belonged to Malawi….Everyone knew Nyerere as a coward and communist inspired jellyfish: We know while pretending to be a staunch supporter of the OAU, Nyerere is the worst agitator and betrayer of the cause for which the Organization was formulated. History, geography or even ethnical knowledge will convince Nyerere that four districts to the South of Tanganyika belong to us by nature. It is only that we respect the feasible unification of Mother Africa that we do not claim these districts. All that we are doing is setting [sic] historical truth.”

Source ya nukuu hii: James Mayall, “The Malawi -Tanzania Boundary Dispute,” The Journal of Modern African Studies, Volume 11, Issue No. 4, (December 1973): 611–628.

Mimi nadhani solution ingekuwa rahisi zaidi kama ingekuwa ni suala la ku-share resources pertaining to fishing, hydro power project, recreation na utalii in the context of SADC. Lakini kwa suala la Gesi/Mafuta kwa nchi maskini kama zetu, hasa kama Malawi ambayo ni land locked na isiyokuwa na resources zozote za maana, hapo kuna mtihani mgumu sana. Lakini ni muhimu viongozi wetu kutokurupuka katika hili kwani neither of the countries can afford to go into war na mwenzake.

Lastly, I remain to wonder iwapo mawaziri wetu wa mambo ya nje katika miaka yote hii walikuwa wanafanya any serious efforts kulitatua tatizo hili kupitia ministerial committees chini ya SADC. Ni vizuri kama angetokea mbunge mmoja akamuuliza Waziri Membe Jumatatu ijayo wakati atakapokuwa anawasilisha bajeti ya wizara yake.

Mchambuzi,

..tungekuwa tunaona mbali basi leo hii TPDC ingekuwa ni kati ya makampuni makubwa ya utafiti wa mafuta na ingeweza kufanya kazi ndani na nje ya mipaka ya Tanzania, ikiwemo Malawi.

..sasa hivi tungekuwa tayari tumeishaimarisha miundo mbinu katika southern corridor kiasi kwamba bandari ya Mtwara ingekuwa port of choice for a landlocked Malawi.

..Kenya wamejipanga strategically[bandari,reli,bomba la mafuta] kiasi kwamba sasa hivi wataanza kufaidika na ugunduzi wa mafuta ya Uganda na Southern Sudan.

Tanzania tuna jesh imara lililojitosheleza kivifaa,maslah(mishaharabora)n a pia jesh kubw(wingi),ss bas kupigana twaweza

ni wakati wakuonyesha kwa vitendo wale wavunja tofali kwa mkono..

Jk ni muoga na hawezi kupiganisha vita na malawi

By Saint Ivuga

tuwaachie ziwa lote ..wao si wanataka mafuta? hakuna tatizo ila waache wavuvi wa pande zote wavue samki ..hapo si ni sawa?

Umenikumbusha tamthiliya ya 'The great ponds' - By Elechi Amadi: pond of wagaba where Olumba was the fighter on one side of the conflict. They have decided to resolve the conflict using the goddess that two men on both sides of the two villages of Chiolu and Aliakoruwere subjected to natural death from God by taking Oath if the pond belongs to other side. Instead they were embarking on bewitching and protecting their warriors. I remember the scene where Olumba was cooked by Igwu (the wizard who wanted to kill hime before the deadline). I hope we are not going to use witch doctors for predictions of the outcome before taking countries into wars.

Kwa wale waliokuwa wazuri kwenye English literature jikumbushe mistari hii

The story is about a ruinous feud between the two villages of Chiolu and Aliakoru. The story traces its way back to the pre colonial era, a time when Africans believed in the power of magic and supernatural healing possessed by the traditional healers (dibias, as used in the book) and divine intervention to appease the gods.

For years, the village of Chiolu had fished in the ponds of Wagaba (alluded to in the book title) without hinderance. However, when the neighboring village of Aliakoru starts to encroach on the pond, war breaks out between the two villages, as the people of Chiolu seek to protect their ownership of the ponds.

The war is led by Olumba the greatest warrior in Chiolu and main character in the book. His main rival is Wago, the leopard killer from Aliakoru. The Ezes (elders) from either side cannot agree to give up the pond. Eze Diali from Chiolu and Eze Okehi Aliakoru often meet to discuss about ending the war but this is not fruitful as both often do not go by the set conditions. For instance Olumba’s pregnant wife Oda is kidnapped in an act that goes against local traditions. This leads to bitterness and instills a heart of vengeance within the warriors of Chiolu. Aliakoru is attacked and three women including Wago’s daughter are kidnapped.

Both villages become weary after months of fighting and eventually the elders of eight other villages join and to end the war on neutral grounds. The answer about who owns the ponds of Wagaba is anybody’s guess as both parties had fished from the same pond at one time or the other.

To resolve the competing claims, Olumba is chosen to take an oath under the god of the night Ogbunabali at Isiali. Under the oath, if he does not die in six months then the pond belongs to Chiolu. He undergoes rituals to protect him from any ill omen. The warriors and dibia Igwu of Aliakoru cause him to fall sick but dibias Achichi of Chiolu and Anwunwu of Abii always act to save the situation.

Nyoma, Olumbas first wife falls sick, the first to suffer the sickness which later begins claiming one by one from the village. The dibia confirms that the disease (wonjo as it is termed) has nothing to do with Aliakoru, since it is the same story in Aliakoru, and other villages. Olumba loses his wife and daughter in the same. Many think the gods are angry with them.

Meanwhile, in the village of Alikakoru, Ikechi and his team fight and kill a leopard. Unable to stomach the loss of his esteem, Wago, the leopard killer, who for years, had been the only one who fought leopards, commits suicide.

With the Great Ponds, Amadi delivers a brilliant piece of story-telling while also addressing the painful effects of war on its main victims, the local population. The fear and injustices that result are an important reminder that there are always innocent victims in every war, a message that is as relevant today as it was for the people of Chiolu and Aliakoru.

Wachukue tu ilo Ziwa nyasa,kwani labda rasimali zikiwa chache tutajua jinsi ya kuzitumia
'vox populi,vox dei

By Hard boy

uraniam tunayo, tutajitengenezea makombora sisi wenyewe.

Subutu! Uranium, kama dhahabu tumeshawagawia wenyewe.

tuna mpiga mmalawi kisha tuna kuja kusafisha jeshi letu, watu kama akina shimbo tuna wang'oa na dhaifu wake..

By Elizabeth Dominic

Tuko tayari?

Tupo tayari mno, mkururu wa vifaru, magari ya deraya, mizinga ya kutungua ndege, helicopter aina ya Apache, jet kadhaa na madege ya kivita mengi, pia merikebu zinazobeba makombora ya kupiga meli na maelfu ya askari wanaelekea mstari wa mbele wakisubiri tangazo la vita!itakuwa vita ya muda mfupi sana, na huenda tukalitwaa ziwa lote la nyassa na kuingia kama kilometer 1000 ndani ya malawi kujenga kitu kinaitwa kijeshi kuwa ni "buffer zone"

By Sunshow

Kwa nini JWTZ isipeleke manowari ziwa nyasa?

Itapita wapi mkuu, wanayo basi!! Sema hawa siyo saizi yetu tutapiga hadi ikulu wapuuzi tu na njaa zao zinataka kutuingiza kwenye vita!!

By Ndibalema

Amicably!! kwanini iwe hivyo? si wangesolve kwa kutumia nguvu tuu kama raia wao wanvyojitapa kwenye mitandao!
ningekuwa Rais wa hii nchi hata nisingeumiza kichwa kukaa nao meza moja.

Hawa jamaa hawajajua mchezo tutakaowachezea! Piga, nyanya gesi yote na mafuta harafu ndo tunaanza kuchimba ya kwetu!!

Mh... Kwa ukilaza wangu, ingawa nmechukua muda mrefu kukuelewa lakini haiingii akilini Membe aanze strategy chafu mapema wakati hata yeye hana uhakika wa kuwa mgombea!!!

Mpaka wanavyodai uko hivi

Magamba yanaweza kila kitu! Hao Malawi wanashida na hela, ile chenji yatu ya rada, yale mabilioni yaliyoko uswizi yakitumika kufanya hizi strategies kwanini tusisahau mengine na kuaza kutetea nchi kwa pamoja huku yakijipanga!!

Tupigwe tu!

Imefika mahali rais wetu MWANAMUME anatishiwa na kupigwa mkwara na rais MWANAMKE,

Hatuna uwezo wa kifedha kupeleka geshi kule!labda aombe msaada nje!

By BAK

Mhhhhh!

Yunusu Ntila Says:

Iwe Mganda Chiume, when the TZ minister was blasting you about their half of Lake Malawi you were just ndwiii ngati akukumeta nde ukuopa tsitsi ligwera mkamwa. Why did you not blast him back? Paja ambwenumbwenu mantha. Anakusankha unduna ndi kumbwambwana kumeneku ndani? Have you not seen that TZ defense force is ready to go to war? Ifenso takonzeka to defend Lake Malawi and abiti Ntila. Chichitike chichitike. Abiti Ntila, the first multiparty era president take Malawi on a brink of war with a neighbouring state. Zopusa basi.

Bubu Atka Kusema tutafsirie ..

Mkulu nae si kanali? Au alikuwa kanali chekacheka

Kazi sana hilo,nasubiri muafaka maana kila nchi ina sababu ya kudai hilo ziwa!mgawanyo wa wadhungu na UN Resolution 1982!kazi ipo