{{Malawi President Joyce Banda has told the former leaders of Mozambique and South Africa that there will be no deal on the Lake Malawi wrangle.}}
Mr Joachim Chissano and Mr Thabo Mbeki had gone to Lilongwe to mediate on the Malawi-Tanzania lake border wrangle.
Malawi is disputing Tanzania’s claim of ownership of part of Lake Malawi.
The two countries referred the matter to the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) Forum of Former Heads of State and Government, which is headed by Mr Chissano.
President Banda also gave a thinly veiled indication that if Malawi if is not satisfied with the resolution of the mediators, that country might consider taking the matter to International Court of Justice.
Malawi President made the remarks in Lilongwe when she jointly addressed the press soon after the discussion with the duo.
“We cannot enter into any deal over the lake until the matter is resolved,” Mrs Banda said.
President Banda insisted that Malawi owns the lake with only a part that was ceded to Mozambique.
President Banda is said to have quoted the 1896 agreement between Britain and Germany, former colonial masters of Malawi and Tanzania respectively that recognised the lake to be owned by Malawians.
Mr Chissano said he would pass the message to Tanzania.
“We are determined to resolve the matter within three months,” Mr Chissano said.
NMG
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