Zim-Botswana Ties Under Spotlight
Source: The Herald (Harare)
Date: 11 November 2006
Author: Anon
THE 24th session of the Botswana/Zimbabwe Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security ended in Masvingo yesterday after intensive deliberations on critical bilateral issues ranging from cross-border trading, illicit trafficking of minerals, firearms and curtailing general crime along the common border, among other issues.
The four-day meeting discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest in areas of defence and state and public security between Zimbabwe and Botswana.
In a statement at the end of the meeting held at Great Zimbabwe, the Minister of State for National Security, Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement, Cde Didymus Mutasa said the commission discussed a wide range of issues that were pertinent to Botswana and Zimbabwe and also of concern to the region.
"The commission deliberated on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest in the areas of defence, state and public security and these included wildlife matters, stock theft, illicit trafficking of drugs, gold, diamonds, firearms and the containment of general crime along the common border, immigration and customs issues.
"The commission also applauded the co-operation and communication that exists at provincial and operational levels and urged this interaction to continue," said Cde Mutasa.
Zimbabwe and Botswana's co-operation in wildlife management including the establishment of the Shashe/Limpopo and Kavango/Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation areas was greatly appreciated by the commission which hailed the move as an indication of close co-operation.
To this end, the commission also hailed the donation of a male black rhino to Botswana by Zimbabwe as a gesture of goodwill that sought to further strengthen existing cordial relations.
Cde Mutasa said the commission also expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the memorandum of understanding on the construction of Kazungula Bridge by Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, especially as the bridge was going to play a pivotal role in the region's socio-economic development.
Deliberations were also held on developments on the relocation to Botswana of members of the Bakalanga Baka-Nswazwi community from Zimbabwe and the commission welcomed plans to start their relocation on November 16 this year.
"The commission also examined the security situation in Botswana, Zimbabwe as well as the Southern African Development Community region and expressed satisfaction at the peaceful conclusion of national democratic elections in the DRC. The commission felt that the elections would not only entrench democracy in that country but in the region as a whole," said Cde Mutasa.
The recently held elections in Zambia were also hailed as free and fair and in conformity with the Sadc principles and guidelines on the conduct of elections.
In his earlier remarks as he officially opened the session, Cde Mutasa hailed the excellent bilateral relations that exist between Zimbabwe and Botswana, adding that the relations ought to be nurtured and enhanced to engender socio-economic benefits to the peoples of the two countries.
Cde Mutasa said relations between the two countries dated back to the war of liberation when Botswana, as one of the frontline states, fully supported the jettisoning of colonial rule that culminated in the birth of an independent Zimbabwe in 1980.
In response, Botswana Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Phandu Skelemani hailed the joint permanent commission on defence and security between the two countries which he said had been a successful platform to amicably solve any sticking problems between the two countries. Mr Skelemani said the commission was a platform to come up with developmental initiatives that could benefit the people of Botswana and Zimbabwe.
He also extended an invitation to the Zimbabwean delegation to attend the 25th session that will be hosted by Botswana next year.
Zimbabwe's delegation was led by Cde Mutasa and included Cde Kembo Mohadi, the Minister of Home Affairs, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga among other top defence, security officials and wildlife officials. The Botswana delegation was led by Mr Skelemani and comprised Major General Moeng Pheto, who is the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs and other top government officials.