ABSTRACT
From the time Malawi became independent on 6 July 1964, diplomatic relations with Tanzania its north-eastern neighbour have been strained. The open dispute between the Republic of Malawi (Malawi) the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) concerns the location of the border between the two states on or at the perimeter of Lake Nyasa/Malawi. In the view of Malawi, the 1890 Treaty between Britain and Germany, which delimited spheres of influence between them across Africa became the de jure boundaries between the two territories now known as Malawi and Tasmania. In identifying the applicable treaties to rely on in its legal dispute, Tanzania has accepted the 1890 Anglo-German Agreement as crucial to the understanding of the boundary between both countries. Considering the history and the dynamics of the dispute, it is necessary for the high level mediation team to ensure it has a deep understanding of the Parties' motivations and concerns and their internal political considerations of the local communities.
