11 Jul 2024

Mozambique is a strategic partner to Botswana’s development pursuit.

This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at a state banquet hosted in his honour by Mozambique President Mr Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday . 

Dr Masisi said mutual engagements between the two  countries exemplified that both countries desired to forge stronger ties. 

Botswana and Mozambique held official talks   on the development of cooperation agreements in different fields. 

President Masisi said the meeting successfully concluded negotiations with additional areas of collaboration, an effort that resulted in the signing of eight memoranda of understanding and agreements, signalling mutual commitment to further deepen the two countries’ bilateral ties. 

He said the significant achievements in vital sectors of the economy were important as they supported ongoing collaborations for sustainable economic development of the two nations.

Among the topics of discussion was the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission, particularly the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which has seen troop deployments from SADC nations to Cabo Delgado province to combat terrorism and violent extremism. 

As the peacekeeping mission approaches its conclusion, President Masisi highlighted the impending return of Botswana’s contingents and reiterated the importance of regional stability. 

Furthermore, President Masisi extended his appreciation to President Nyusi for his governance and respect for term limits, acknowledging the significant progress made under his leadership. 

The visit also served as an opportunity to address wildlife conservation efforts, with President Masisi reaffirming Botswana’s commitment to sharing its elephant population with Mozambique, recognising the potential benefits for Mozambique’s trade and tourism sectors.

President Masisi also reminded Mozambique that the elephant gifted to Mozambique some years ago had increased from 500 species to 2 000 and that the two countries should accelerate preparatory work to translocate them. “I wish to reiterate Botswana’s donation of elephants to Mozambique. We have too much of them and we are ready to share with you how they were husbanded,” he said.

Amid discussions on regional issues and historical ties, both presidents underscored the enduring friendship and solidarity that had characterised the relationship between Botswana and Mozambique, dating back to their nations’ liberation struggles. 

Still at the state banquet, President Masisi mentioned that significant progress in bilateral cooperation between Botswana and Mozambique has been achieved following President Nyusi’s visit to Botswana in 2022. “Your visit had a lasting impact on our collaborative efforts, leading to the signing of various sector-specific cooperation agreements,” said President Masisi. 

Dr Masisi expressed optimism that Botswana and Mozambique possessed the potential to transition from resource-dependent economies to robust knowledge-based ones.

President Nyusi, on the other hand, emphasised the commitment of both countries to conducting joint commissions at the ministerial and expert levels simultaneously, along with high-level visits through business forums. 

He highlighted that this platform would help operationalise decisions made to further strengthen the economic partnership between the two countries. 

President Nyusi also mentioned Mozambique’s ability to supply energy products, leverage resources, particularly in developing gas reserves in Enyasoro in Ruvuma, and increase hydropower through future projects like the Pandangua Dam. 

Additionally, he highlighted Mozambique’s advantage in providing port services in the region, offering Botswana access to sea routes.

Expressing optimism about deepening cooperation through mutually beneficial structural projects, President Nyusi emphasised the importance of collaboration outlined in the cooperation agreements.

He invited the public and private sectors to work together, recognizing their invaluable contributions to stabilising situations like in Cabo Delgado.

Furthermore, President Nyusi conveyed his appreciation to President Masisi for his direct involvement and interventions in deploying SAMIM forces. 

He also extended best wishes to President Masisi for his campaign for a second term in office. Ends