" the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea that stipulates that in case nations are bordered by a water body (sea or lake), the border of the two nations will always be on the middle of the water body."
Mkuu Nanyaro Ephata
Angalia hii: Malawi has rightful claim to the whole lake basing on the Heligoland Treaty signed by Germany and Britain Malawi and Tanzanias 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.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said that while they acknowledged Tanzanias claim to half of the Lake basing on common law,
It is Malawis position that the principle which Tanzania depends upon applies only where there is no treaty.
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. Source hii
https://www.jamiiforums.com/jukwaa-...a-malawi-kutangaza-vita-na-tz-leo-au-laa.html
Katika mazingira haya tutatumia mkataba wa mwanzo/ mipaka ya wakoloni au tutatumia hii sheria ya 1982 uliyoitaja katika kufikia uamuzi wa kutatua utata wa mpaka?
Isieleweke kuwa naegemea upande fulani hapa. Vita si lele mama. Ni vyema kujiridhisha kwanza kwamba tutakapoamua kuingia vitani basi tumesimama kwenye ukweli na hivyo damu ya watanzania watakaokufa katika vita hiyo wafe kishujaa.