04 Oct 2022

 Mozambique and Japan ambassadors, Mr Domingos Fernandez and Mr Takashia Hoshiyama respectfully, yesterday paid valedictory calls on President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi as their tours of duty in Botswana have come to an end.

Bidding farewell to Mr Fernandez, President Masisi said Botswana appreciated the strong bilateral relations it shared with Mozambique which dated  back to  both countries’ pre-independence era.

The relations between the two nations were deeply rooted in their cultural similarities, he said.

President Masisi said the two countries strategic partnership remained strong as epitomised by their strong commitment to the advancement of the regional and continental development agenda.

Botswana and Mozambique, the President said, continued to have common positions and similar approaches to the multifaceted challenges that the two countries currently faced.

 “I wish to note with satisfaction that progress has been made in deepening cooperation in a number of areas including energy, defence justice and security, education, culture and tourism and many other sectors,” he said.

Dr Masisi said the achievements demonstrated that there were regular follow-ups by the two countries’ respective sectors.

He therefore commended Mr Fernandez for serving as a link between the two countries during his term of office.

 For his part, Mr Fernandez who assumed the ambassadorial role in 2015, said the long time relations between the two countries laid a solid foundation for strengthening bilateral relations and assisted in fostering regional integration as well as greater cohesion.

He said Mozambique would forever be grateful for the deep and entrenched relations with Botswana and would  do whatever it took to cement the relationship.

Mr Fernandez applauded President Masisi for the role he played in promoting peace and security within  Southern Africa during his tenure as SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation chairperson.

“As chairman of the organ, President Masisi was instrumental in facilitating the regional response   to support Mozambique in combating terrorism and acts of violent extremism and restoring law and order in affected areas of Cabo Delgado Province,” Mr Fernandez said.

 Addressing Mr Hoshiyama, President Masisi applauded Japan for being instrumental in the transformation of Botswana’s broadcasting from analogue to digital.

He noted that Botswana received a P50 million grant from Japan towards rolling out digital terrestrial transmitters and other logistics for the smooth migration.

 President Masisi said Botswana would always be grateful for the support received from the Japanese government.

 Responding, Mr Hoshiyama said Japan regarded Botswana as a developmental partner.

 Japan had  made strides in supporting   early childhood development in Botswana through its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects scheme, he said.BOPA