By Benadetta Chiwanda Mia:
The Malawi Government says it remains committed to resolving the ongoing trade standoff with Tanzania through dialogue and diplomacy, downplaying fears that the situation could disrupt bilateral relations or existing trade arrangements.
Information Minister-cum-government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu made the remarks on Tuesday as the deadline set by the Tanzanian government for Malawi to lift its import ban elapses today.
In an interview on Tuesday, Kunkuyu said the government had always engaged with its neighbours on a number of issues that touch on bilateral relations.
“So, those continuous engagements yield positive results. As you know, we had this kind of a situation not very long ago, just last year, and through dialogue, we found ourselves in a position of resolving all those issues and we continue with trade between the two countries; trade passing through the two countries and other areas of bilateral relations,” Kunkuyu said.
Kunkuyu did not indicate whether Malawi would comply with the neighbouring country’s demand; rather emphasising that the authorities’ focus was on using proper channels for negotiations.
“Malawi has a mission in Tanzania, and Tanzania has a mission here in Malawi. Our representatives are in constant communication and we believe that, through continued dialogue, we can achieve a win-win outcome for both countries,” Kunkuyu said.
He further said Malawi remained committed to regional and continental trade protocols, ensuring implementation in ways that preserve both economic growth and coexistence.
“We believe that what is happening now is not anything that would affect the relations and trade arrangements between the two countries,” he said.
This follows a warning issued last week by Tanzanian Minister of Agriculture Hussein Bashe, who gave Malawi until Wednesday, April 23, 2025, to reverse its March ban on the importation of certain agricultural products or face retaliatory measures.
The Malawian import ban, gazetted in March, applies to products such as rice, fruits, maize flour, fresh milk, vegetables and other produce that can be cultivated or produced locally.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, Bashe announced Tanzania’s plans to enforce a ban on all Malawian agricultural imports.
“If the governments of Malawi and South Africa do not change their positions by next Wednesday, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Agriculture, will ban the import of all agricultural products from the two countries. Cargo from Malawi will not be allowed to pass through Tanzanian borders, including the port of Dar es Salaam, until the ban is lifted,” Bashe said.
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