Water wars

According to a UN Development Programme report, potential 'water wars' are likely in areas where rivers and lakes are shared by more than one country. The possible flashpoints are the Nile, Niger, Volta and Zambezi basins. A case in point, Malawi and its northern neighbour Tanzania have agreed to revive talks to resolve a long-running border dispute. The two east African neighbours are at odds over the ownership of Lake Malawi, which straddles both countries with Tanzania claiming the top half of Africa's third largest freshwater lake, a claim contested by Malawi. To help us unpack this we are now joined on the line by:• George Mhango: Channel Africa News Correspondent in Blantyre, Malawi• • Lewis Chiwalo: An economic and good governance commentator based in Malawi.• Dr Martin R. Rupiya, Executive Director, The African Public Policy & Research Institute