07 Apr 2022

The convening of the 7th session of the Botswana-Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) has been described as a demonstration of the two countries’ commitment towards strengthening and advancing their cooperation.

“Our mutual determination to ensure the convening of this 7th session is a clear demonstration of the commitment we attach to advancing cooperation between our sisterly countries in various key strategic areas,” Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation permanent secretary, Ambassador Dr Gladys Mokhawa said when opening the session in Gaborone yesterday.

The session, which will run until Monday, paves the way for Mozambican president, Mr Filipe Nyusi’s four-day state visit to Botswana scheduled for April 13-16.

Ambassador Dr Mokhawa noted that the session was being held at a critical moment not only in the SADC region but the world at large given the security threats, instability as well as a fully fledged war and humanitarian crises that threaten global peace and security.

She expressed Botswana’s appreciation for the constructive efforts by SADC, through the deployment of its mission to Mozambique following the organisation’s June 2021 decision.

“Such efforts will undoubtedly go a long way in complementing efforts of our sister country and other partner countries to combat acts of terrorism and violent extremism in Carbo Delgado, which have the potential to spill over to other countries in the region,” she said.

Mozambique head of delegation to JPCC, Mr Antonio Macheve said no JPCC had been held since the last one in Maputo in 2018 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ongoing JPCC, he said, afforded the two countries an opportunity to monitor and evaluate their cooperation
in areas such as political diplomacy, defence and military, transport and communication, energy and health.

Mr Macheve said there was need to explore new areas.

In an interview, Botswana’s high commissioner to Mozambique, Mr Gobe Pitso said the 2018 session was held as a preparatory meeting for President Masisi’s visit to Mozambique which among others birthed defence and culture cooperation agreements.

According to Mr Pitso, the two countries had concluded and signed 13 agreements while others were still being negotiated.

On the significance of Botswana-Mozambique relations, he pointed out  that during President Masisi’s tenure as SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security chairperson, SADC deployed forces in Mozambique to combat acts of terrorism and extremism. ends