Border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi may go to the ICJ

Tanzania and Malawi are in a dispute over the demarcation of Lake Malawi, exacerbated by the discovery of potential oil and gas deposits. While Malawi relies on an 1890 colonial treaty, Tanzania argues for a division based on the international law of the sea. Tensions have escalated with reports of intimidation of fishermen and the breakdown of negotiations, leading President Joyce Banda to suggest the International Court of Justice as a means of resolution.

• The border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi was reignited in 2012 following reports of potential oil deposits under Lake Malawi and the awarding of an exploration licence to the British company Surestream by Lilongwe.
• The two nations hold conflicting legal positions on the lake's ownership: Malawi cites an 1890 treaty between Germany and Britain, while Tanzania advocates for a division based on the international law of the sea.
• Diplomatic negotiations failed after Tanzania presented a map claiming Lake Malawi as its territory, accompanied by reports of Tanzanian threats to attack Malawian boats and the intimidation of fishermen.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). Border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi may go to the ICJ. https://issafrica.org/research/publication-archives/cpra-daily-briefing/border-dispute-between-tanzania-and-malawi-may-go-to-the-icj

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. Border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi may go to the ICJ. n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/publication-archives/cpra-daily-briefing/border-dispute-between-tanzania-and-malawi-may-go-to-the-icj.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=Border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi may go to the ICJ |url=https://issafrica.org/research/publication-archives/cpra-daily-briefing/border-dispute-between-tanzania-and-malawi-may-go-to-the-icj |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndborder, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{Border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi may go to the ICJ}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/publication-archives/cpra-daily-briefing/border-dispute-between-tanzania-and-malawi-may-go-to-the-icj}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }