08 Sep 2022

The inaugural Botswana/Namibia Bi-National Commission is a clear sign that the two neighbours have elevated their  friendship and cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Lemogang Kwape said at the opening session of the ministerial segment of the bi-national commission yesterday that the two countries’ friendship had been characterised by increasing numbers of high level exchanges and engagements by senior government officials as well as people-to-people interactions.

He noted that the countries heads of state decided to elevate the engagements from the previous joint permanent commission on cooperation to a bi-national commission.

He said the bi-national commission had provided an opportunity for the duo to evaluate progress on the implementation of decisions and to map the way forward.

The minister, however, said despite the good relations between the two countries, there were still challenges faced by communities living along the common border in the Chobe and the Zambezi regions.

“You will recall our successful joint visit to these regions in September 2021, where we engaged communities and encouraged them to exercise the spirit of good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Dr Kwape also noted that the two countries shared a lot of similarities and challenges such as water shortage and lack of good transport linkages, particularly a railway line.

He said it was vital for the two countries to complete outstanding projects such as the Trans Kgalagadi railway line, a water desalination plant, a one-stop border post and the finalisation of the use of identity cards for cross-border travel by citizens of both countries.

Namibian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the relations between the two countries were long-standing as Botswana played a crucial role in Namibia’s struggle for independence. 

“We remain grateful for the vital role the people of Botswana played during those difficult times,” she said.

She said the two countries made a decision to upgrade their joint permanent commission framework to a bi-national commission because of the maturity of their cooperation as well as the importance they attached to cementing strategic bilateral relations.

She said efforts to promote economic growth and sustainable development should enjoy greater priority between the two neighbours. 

She also urged the two countries’ officials to ensure that agreements were timeously implemented in order to improve the living standards of the people.

The ministerial session paved way for the two countries heads of state inaugural bi-national commission scheduled for today. ends