Hosia Mviringi
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, in his official capacity as Chair of SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security, is set to arrive in Zimbabwe today for a working visit to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This visit comes amid an escalation of insurgent activities in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique as widely reported in the media and a raging Covid-19 pandemic, both situations which demand a collective approach by the SADC family of nations.
“The visit will afford His Excellency the President, as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, the opportunity to engage with his counterparts, His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia; and His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on bilateral, regional and Continental issues of mutual interest and concern.
The Heads of State will also explore common solutions to the pressing socioeconomic challenges occasioned by Covid-19,” read the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Botswana in a statement.
President Masisi is also expected to introduce to his counterparts and to canvass for support for Botswana’s candidate for the position of SADC Executive Secretary, Mr. Elias Epedi Magosi.
SADC is on the hunt for a candidate to replace Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax when her term of office expires in August this year.
Dr Tax has served out her two four-year terms since replacing Mr. Tomaz Augusto Salamao of Mozambique in 2013 who had also served his mandatory two four year terms.
The Botswana leader is being accompanied by his Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Honourable Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Basic Education, Honourable Mr. Fidelis Molao, and Senior government officials.
Botswana has long-standing friendly relations with Zimbabwe which date back to 1983 when the two countries established Diplomatic relations.
Cooperation has spanned through such areas as Tourism, Trade, Education, and Defence and Security.
The two nations believe that there still exists room for widening of the scope of cooperation.
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