BNC session deepens Zimbabwe – Botswana cooperation

BNC session deepens Zimbabwe – Botswana cooperation

Brian Rungano Temba

 

Zimbabwe and Botswana have signed five bilateral instruments meant to deepen relations between the two Southern African nations.

 

The MOUs to broaden cooperation between the two countries were signed during the Bi-National Commission session (BNC) held on February 25, 2022 at Victoria Falls.

 

The third session of the Bi-National Commission was co-chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Cde President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana.

 

The BNC was preceded by the meeting of senior officials on February 21, 2022 and ministers from both countries on February 24, 2022.

 

It was in the final session that heads of state reviewed the state bilateral relations between the two countries, and exchanged views on regional, continental and international issues of mutual interest.

 

Both Presidents reiterated commitment towards continuing to consolidate and enhance strong historical and fraternal relations between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

 

Botswana and Zimbabwe signed Memorandums of Understanding in the field of Tourism, on Child Protection, on Zimbabwe-Botswana Water Cooperation, Agriculture Development and Food Security and Youth Development.

 

Heads of state expressed concerns over delays in concluding a number of agreements and MOUs and directed relevant ministries to expedite their finalisation by the Mid Term Review in November 2022.

 

Defence and Security sectors of both countries were applauded for their excellent cooperation particularly on combating trans-boundary crime along the common border.

 

Cross-border livestock rustling has been earmarked as an outstanding problem causing a devastation of livelihoods of affected communities and destabilising social economic development between the two countries.

 

A ministerial committee was established and tasked to find lasting solutions to this problem.

 

Zimbabwe highlighted the initiatives it had taken to improve ease of business to attract birth domestic and Foreign Direct Investment flows.

 

The two nations resoundingly expressed their unwavering commitment in calling for the removal of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe.

 

Heads of states welcomed the deployment of SADC Mission in Mozambique in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

 

They also resolved to call for the need to reform the United Nations System, particularly the United Nations Security Council.

 

Both Presidents resolved that the mid-term review of the resolutions from the third session of the BNC br held soon.

 

Cde President Masisi extended his invitation to Zimbabwe to attend the fourth session that will be hosted in Botswana on a date yet to be agreed through diplomatic channels.