The Parliamentary committee on International Relations has summoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the ongoing Lake Malawi boundary dispute with Tanzania.
The conflict over the Malawi-Tanzania border re-emerged in 2012 when the Malawian government granted an exploration license to the British company Surestream Petroleum to search for oil and gas in Lake Malawi/Nyasa.
Since then, tensions between the neighboring states have been on the rise.
Additionally, as per the committee’s agenda, the ministry is expected to inform members of parliament about any new international agreements ratified between 2023 and 2024.
In an interview with MIJ Online, Michael Kaiyatsa, the Executive Director for the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, stressed the importance of the ministry and the committee updating Malawians on the status of the dispute, considering it has been over 10 years since its emergence.
“This meeting is important, in fact it’s long overdue. It should have taken place a long time ago because the issue has taken so long and it’s important that the committee follow up on what is happening” said Kaiyatsa.
After receiving recommendations from various stakeholders during previous engagements, the Committee aims to amend Section 96 (f) of the Constitution, along with other provisions, to require the Cabinet’s involvement of Parliament in the consideration of which international agreements the President should conclude or accede to.
In this regard, the Committee seeks to discuss with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs their perspectives on the proposal to engage the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in drafting a corresponding bill.
