Diplomatic tensions over $30m Lake Malawi port

Tanzania and Malawi are on the brink of a diplomatic standoff following Tanzania's decision to commence the upgrade of Mbamba Bay Port, situated on the shores of Lake Malawi. Lilongwe accuses its neighbour of initiating the project without consultation, given the contested nature of the key port. Business Day Africa reports that it has formally requested Tanzania to suspend the project, a move likely to escalate tensions between the neighbouring countries. ‘The Government of Malawi would like to express that embarking on such a project on Malawi's territory without the country's consent is irregular and illegal, and request that the project be halted until such necessary consultations and upon being given consent from the Government of Malawi,’ it said in its diplomatic letter. The Tanzania Port Authority has already inked a $31.8m construction deal with China's Xiamen Ongoing Construction Group for the port, with a projected completion timeline of 24 months.