03 Mar 2022

The Ministry of Defence Justice and Security will explore possible ways of engaging France for cooperation in the management of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons (CBRN).

When welcoming the Botswana-France Parliamentary Friendship Group during a courtesy call in Gaborone on Wednesday Minister Kagiso Mmusi told the delegation that the management of CBRN was a new sector within the ministry, adding that they were ready to tap on France’s experience.

“The country’s defence and security sector has in the past benefitted from the cordial cooperation that exists between the two countries,” he said.

Minister Mmusi said the French government had assisted Botswana with military training in peace-keeping since 2000 and also took note of the arrangement on defence cooperation between Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and the French Armed Forces.

“There is an on-going exchange of military exercises between the BDF and France Forces, while the French Armed Forces continue to train BDF members on basic and advanced French language courses.

Private France military defence companies are being engaged as potential business partners as the BDF undertakes to improve its military capacity,” he said.

He said there was also an agreement governing the exchange of classified defence information between France and Botswana.

As for the Botswana Police Service, he said the institution enjoyed good bilateral cooperation with France in the area of public security and law enforcement as well as law enforcement training.

Mr Mmusi said on annual basis, the French government provided technical support to the police on identified areas. The minister stated that some of the technical assistance and training included French language up to diploma level, joint peace keeping, counter terrorism and motor cycle riding at basic and advanced level.

He further added that the ministry was looking into growing the relationship with France to benefit Botswana Prison Services.

In addition, minister Mmusi said human trafficking remained a challenge, hence the need to foster collaborations to tackle the issue.

The head of delegation, Mr Philippe Michel-Kleisbaeur said France was willing to continue providing military cooperation and procurement of equipment to the country as long as it suited the country.

He said France valued Botswana’s involvement in the fight against terrorism in Mozambique, adding that their country was also committed to fighting terrorism.

He said terrorism fuelled human trafficking as it was used to fund the practice.  The visiting delegation comprised various members of parliament. It is expected to go back home on Sunday. Ends