Roundup: Tanzania, Malawi in new dialogue to resolve river border dispute

Tanzanian and Malawian authorities have embarked in new dialogue aimed at resolving border related conflict, due to perennially shifting of Songwe River border.

Songwe River, which pours water into Lake Nyasa defines the boundary between Tanzania and Malawi.

Tanzania's Ileje District Commissioner, Rosemary Senyamule met with her Malawian counterpart Grace Chilwa, who is the Chitipa District Commissioner.

The two leaders met on Wednesday and extensively discussed on how to address the dispute amicably.

The initiative came amid reports that a fresh conflict emerged between villagers living along Songwe River on both sides, Malawi and Tanzania.

"The river has moved to Tanzanian side and our villagers are demanding their land which if we are to follow the river as the boundary it's on the Malawian side. So, we met here to find a solution for the new border-related challenges," said Senyamule.

"We're forced to launch the dialogue because we want to find lasting solution. We have invited villagers and local leaders from the affected areas," the official said.

She cited villages at the center of conflict as Navilondo and Iyenga which are on the Malawian side and Ikumbilo on the Tanzanian side.

"For years, we have been living in harmony between Tanzania and Malawi and we don't want to see the issue of border be a stumbling block for our long time relations, that's why I took the decision and come up with the way forward."

According to the Tanzanian official human activities in the area which under conflict have been suspended until the matter is resolved.

Malawian District Commissioner, Grace Chilwa also expressed concern over the border dispute saying: "I am going to convene a meeting with traditional chiefs and come up with their recommendations within ten days."

She however said that the long and historic ties won't be destroyed with the border issue, which in principal were set by colonialists; "our people were one thing before the colonial time."

The Chitipa DC hailed her Tanzanian counterparts for the initiative to address the challenge through dialogue.

Ileje District Council chairman, Ubatizo Songa suggested the need for expediting the process of resolving the conflict so that people in the area continue with their socio-economic activities. Endit