27 Mar 2024

The commencement of Botswana – Zambia Bi-National Commission is long overdue given the rich history behind the nations relations.

In his opening remarks during Botswana-Zambia official talks in Livingstone,Zambia yesterday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said the two countries continued to enjoy strong bonds of friendship, solidarity and fruitful cooperation, which predated the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

“Zambia and Botswana relations go extremely a long way since their old formations as illustrated by our founding fathers who constantly were in contact not only for the betterment of their people but rather for the entire region hence the formation of the frontline states,” he said.

He said Batswana and Zambians were similar in many facets and it was only by nature that a river divided them and the colonial border lines further separated the sister countries which  have a  lot in common.

“The sooner we can erase this difference, the easier for us to have more engagements and the  reduction of bottlenecks and red tapes that  hinder the  growth  of our  people,” he said.

Dr Masisi the fact that the two countries were both members of the various multilateral institutions such as Southern Africa Development Community and that they had similar  commodities  should make it seamless for the countries to cooperate in many ways.President Masisi extended his gratitude to his Zambian counterpart for his sharpness of mind and presence to engage with Botswana in ways that would enhance the relations between the  two  countries.

“We did not only agree on numerous agreements but we have also established time limes to implement such agreements,” President Masisi said.

 He said the next step should be to ensure that the content of the memorandums of agreement was actualised for the betterment  of the citizenries.

The President said the two heads of state were  in an agreement  to harness the  low  hanging fruits  in the  tourism space since they  shared the similar tourism space  along the river basin.

 “We are hopeful for Zambia to successfully complete the national identity card audit so as our people  can easily travel since  the  goods will  automatically  follow  suit and trade would be enhanced,” he said.

 He said there was already exchange of notes on governance, politics and how to handle delicate matters.

President Masisi thus urged other regional leaders to embrace the Botswana-Zambia working methodology of presidential engagements and ministerial working relations and do away  with  certain bureaucracies that  hindered regional  progress.

He further invited his Zambian counterpart for a state visit, which he said would further strengthen the ties between the two nations.

 For his part, President Hakainde Hichilema acknowledged the visionary leadership of President Masisi for cultivating a conducive environment for the two nations to seamlessly work together.

 He accepted President Masisi’s invitation to discuss issues that foster development between countries.

In agreement, President Hichilema expressed optimism about the prospects for increased trade and enhanced regional connectivity, emphasising the importance of such partnerships in driving socio-economic development. ENDS