05 Jun 2022

Government and SADC Secretariat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of machine biometric travel documents for the organisation’s officials.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony in Gaborone Friday, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Ms Anna Mokgethi confirmed that the organisation  was moving away from the manual to electronic travel document.

She said this was in line with International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) standards  requiring countries to issue and use machine biometric travel documents.

"I am happy that Botswana government has acceded to the request by the SADC Secretariat to utilise its facilities for the printing of the SADC laisser-passer travel document and I can assure you that my ministry has the capacity and technology to print the travel document as requested by SADC," she said.

The minister said the signing provided a framework for government and the secretariat to ensure more effective cooperation and strengthening of services.

She said the main advantage of having an electronic travel document was that it comprised a range of additional visual and electronic security features.

That, Ms Mokgethi said, would help to combat identity fraud and strengthen both national and international confidence in travel documents.

She implored SADC officials to keep their travel documents in secure places to minimize loss or damage as replacement might attract penalties.

For his part, SADC executive secretary Mr Elias Magosi said the bloc’s council of ministers directed the secretariat to migrate from a manual laissez-passer to a machine-readable one as far back as 2015.

Mr Magosi said the council also directed the secretariat to collaborate with the Botswana government in the production of machine-readable document.

The project’s commencement was therefore dependent on partnership with the ministry, he stated.

He said the document would enable SADC staff members to travel seamlessly within the continent and globally advancing Africa's integration and global outreach.

Mr Magosi explained that the document, issued under provisions of both the SADC treaty and its Protocol on Immunities and Privileges, would enable staff to effectively discharge their duties.

"These diplomatic immunities, privileges and facilities are also accorded in line with the host agreements between SADC and respective member states that host the SADC Secretariat and SADC institutions or subsidiary organisations," he said.

The holders of the SADC laissez-passer would  have visa-free entry into and exit from the territories of all member states, said Mr Magosi.

He said completion of the exercise and the coming into use of the document would relieve SADC member states of the burden of passport renewals for their nationals serving in the secretariat and its institutions. ENDS