10 Dec 2023

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has underscored the need to revive the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) between Botswana and Tanzania.

When welcoming Deputy Prime Minister of Tanzania Dr Doto Biteko during a courtesy call on Thursday, President Masisi said the resuscitation of the JPCC would provide strategic direction to strengthen relations through regular engagements since the two countries would periodically take stock of bilateral relations and monitor progress on agreed milestones.

“The  two countries’  connection  needs to be further nurtured through the JPCC mechanism  which needs to be  resuscitated  through  the  third JPCC Tanzania  is due to host,” President Masisi said.

He said the JPCC would provide a perfect platform for both countries to work out a programme of action that would strengthen collaboration between them.

President Masisi said it was important for African countries to create a platform to converse about the Africa they desired in order to drive the continent’s integration process.  

He said it was pleasing to note that the two countries continued to enjoy cordial relations and fruitful cooperation founded on genuine friendship and mutual respect. Dr Masisi pointed out that friendship and cordial bilateral relations of Botswana and Tanzania were underpinned by shared values in many aspects.

Thus, he extended an invitation to President of Tanzania, Dr Samia Hassan to undertake a state visit to Botswana, adding that she was an inspiration to many Batswana women to attain leadership positions.

Dr Biteko said the Tanzanian delegation visit to Botswana was a clear demonstration of the significance that his government attached to nurturing and broadening the scope of the two countries bilateral cooperation.

He commended Botswana for being exemplary in the use of mineral resources for the development of its people.  ENDS