24 Aug 2022

The Memorandum of Agreement on defence cooperation signed between Botswana and Rwanda is an additional mechanism to the existing structures aimed at restoring peace in Africa.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi made the remarks during a meeting with Rwanda’s  Minister of defence Major General Albert Murasira in Gaborone yesterday.

Major General Murasira signed on behalf of Rwanda while Minister of Defence and Security Mr Kagiso Mmusi represented Botswana.

Dr Masisi said the  agreement encapsulated broader thinking on peacebuilding.

He said the two nations were committed to promoting peace as demonstrated by their devotion to assist wherever peace accord was needed.

 “The two nations are equally involved in building peace through a peace-keeping mission in Mozambique. 

The agreement is therefore a peace-building exercise through which the two nations are influencing each other to sustainably promote peace,” he said

 Dr Masisi said the two nations had strong bilateral relations on varied platforms that were not only limited to defence but extended to the political and economic space.

For his part,  Maj. Gen. Murasira also noted that the two nations were equally committed to peacekeeping in Mozambique.

“Although the MoA is being signed now, a lot has been happening between the two nations in the field of defence cooperation,” he said.

He said Rwanda and its neighbours who were troubled by instability were working tirelessly to restore peace. 

Maj. Gen. Murasira said his government was committed to restoring peace not only in Rwanda but in Africa as a whole.

“We truly cherish the values of peace and friendship,” he said.

Mr Mmusi said the signing of the agreement followed a decision of the inaugural session of the Botswana/Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation held in Kigali this year.BOPA