LILONGWE--Malawi President Joyce Banda lauded the local media Sunday for its handling of the dispute between Malawi and Tanzania over Lake Malawi.

The president who addressed the press on arrival from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) heads of state two-day summit held in Mozambican capital, Maputo, said the local media reported the issue with maturity.

“I should thank the local media for handling the issue soberly without fuelling tensions as was the case in Tanzania where cut and paste pictures of armoured tankers were used to insinuate war between the two countries,” said Banda who also showered praise on Malawi’s opposition political leaders for their input in her preparation for her meeting with Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete at the summit.

“I should also thank political leaders on their oneness over the issue,” she said. “They advised me to be calm and collected when I met Kikwete because facts and history were on my side.”

Pres Banda said she expected the matter to be resolved diplomatically and amicably following the fruitful discussions she had with Kikwete who was elected chairperson of the Sadc Political, Defence and Security arm.

“In such a capacity, which entails brokering for peace in the region, I doubt that my brother Kikwete would lie about whatever we discussed,” said Banda who emphasised that Malawians and Tanzanians were brothers.
Banda was elected vice chairperson of the 2012/13 SADC Summit.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.