25 Oct 2017

Criminals syndicates use the convenience of expansive border crossing areas such as Kasane to carry out their illegal activities.

These sentiments were echoed by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, Ms Segakweng Tsiane when making opening remarks during the 26th Session of the Botswana/ Namibia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security on October 24.

The four day meeting is preceded by the officials meeting after which the ministerial meeting will commence today (October 26).

She explained that the occasion marked the first step towards another twenty-five years of political, ideological, cultural, economic and social bonds between the two nations.

Ms Tsiane, who is also the co-chairperson of the session highlighted that they made several resolutions under the auspices of the defence, public security committees and noted that both countries have been working hard to actualize these.

On other issues, she mentioned that Kasane, besides being one of the most scenic and a tourist destination choice in Africa had become a meeting point for migration from the South to the North of the continent and vice versa.

Consequently, she added that it should be expected that such a busy meeting point is bound to be attractive to criminal elements which threatens the mutual defence and security interests of the two countries.

“As we should know criminal elements attracted to high volume border activities includes cross-border human trafficking, smuggling of drugs, weapons, motor vehicles, goods as well as poaching,” she said.

The permanent secretary also explained that addressing such criminal activities required investigation and analysis of the underlying causes and modes of operation used by these criminals, if they are to ensure enhanced human security for the people of Botswana and Namibia.

The meeting, she noted, should secure the peoples’ futures and ensure continued enjoyment of freedoms and the maintenance of national peace and security in the two countries.

For his part, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Namibia, R-Adm Peter Vilho said that the two countries continued to enjoy cordial relations stemming from the fact that the citizens of the two countries are determined to broaden and deepen the existing excellent and traditional bonds of friendship and cooperation.

He added that the Joint Permanent Commission is at the forefront of the agenda for the peaceful co-existence.

Furthermore, he said that even though this region continues to enjoy peace and stability, they cannot afford to be complacent.

“It is, therefore, of critical importance that our defence and security institutions continue to cooperate and work together in combatting both latent as well as active threats posed by international terrorism and other transnational security challenges,” he mentioned.

The 26th session, therefore, he argued, presented an opportunity for the two countries to interact, discuss and find solutions to matters of mutual concern in the defence and security domain.

The occasion, he highlighted, provided an opportunity for the two countries to review previous resolutions and establish progress made as well as setbacks encountered during the past period and adjust accordingly. ENDS