Masisi, Mnangagwa advocate use of ID for travel
It is just a matter of time before citizens of Botswana and Zimbabwe can freely travel between the two countries using their national identity documents.
While the leaders have agreed to this move, it remains a contentious issue, especially among citizens living in villages along the Botswana-Zimbabwe border, which happens to be the longest border Botswana shares with any country. Many are concerned for their safety.
There are strong indications that eventually, the proposal allowing nationals to cross borders using their national identity cards will be implemented.
Presidents Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi and Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa endorsed this proposal during the fourth Botswana-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Maun last Friday.
When questioned by the media, Masisi disagreed with the notion that utilising national identity cards for border crossing would lead to an influx of Zimbabwean citizens into the country. He clarified that the border travel
initiative aligns with the longstanding resolutions of SADC and the African Union (AU) to promote integration.
Masisi also highlighted the ongoing 'very positive consultations' between the two governments regarding the implementation of this agreement.
President Mnangagwa echoed Masisi's sentiments, acknowledging the successful outcomes of the meeting. He underscored the significance of translating agreements into tangible actions for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Those who are uncomfortable with the move cite numerous reasons among them cattle rustling which has been taking place for decades in their respective villages, incidents of illegal mining of all kinds of natural resources, and influx of Zimbabweans into Botswana.
In fact, at different times both President Masisi and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Dr Mnangagwa as well as their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs - Dr Lemogang Kwape and Ambassador Fredrick Shava - have acknowledged that there is one major issue that continues to trouble the two countries and that is livestock rustling across common borders.
Speaking on cattle rustling which has impoverished many Batswana living along the border, Kwape said the problem started as common stock theft and has since escalated into serious, well organised cross-border crime.
He emphasised the need to expedite action to resolve the problem, which he described as having far-reaching implications, not only on the livelihoods of the affected communities, but also on the socio-economic
development of the two countries.
Appealing to his counterpart, Kwape said there is an urgent need to conclude and sign the Framework Agreement on Livestock Rustling by the two governments. He was pleased that subsequent to the third BNC, a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) was established to coordinate and implement the recommendations as well as the decisions of the Botswana/Zimbabwe BNC.
Further that the JTC has since overseen the process of a relief programme for the affected farmers. He said on the Botswana side, the effort was led by the Ministry of Defence and Security.
“In April 2023, the JTC developed guidelines for restocking, as well as the verification and assessment form, which were both adopted by the Joint Ministerial Committee as the tools used in the identification of eligible beneficiaries.'
Kwape said he is confident that the joint efforts can effectively eradicate the problem, including its root causes. 'I have no doubt that our Senior Officials have come up with some recommendations for our consideration, in order to effectively address this problem,” he said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, Ambassador Fredrick Shava agreed that swift action was required to address the issue. Minister Shava said during the third session of the BNC, Botswana brought to the attention of the meeting, the endemic problem of livestock rustling, particularly along common border.
Furthermore, that the two countries initiated a joint framework for cooperation to facilitate and harmonise efforts in the fight against the problem.
“I note with great satisfaction that the joint efforts by the two police organisations and interstate liaison operations have drastically reduced livestock rustling crime along the border.“
Shava said even though the resources of the two countries may be scarce and stretched to the limit, both countries had made sacrifices for the sake of ending such crime.
Allaying the fears, President Masisi explained that the process was similar to ‘just like we did with Namibia’, stating that he and Mnangagwa wanted the process to succeed because it was a long-standing resolution, adding that they were not the originators of the idea, but the deliverers.
Perhaps what will reassure sceptics is Masisi’s commitment that the nation will be informed when consultations have been completed and the testing of the integrity of the system successfully done.
Masisi said travellers between the two countries would still be required to use legitimate points of entry and valid identity cards. Further, that the use of such documents was not inviting trouble, but in actual fact ‘inviting goodness’.
Mnangagwa said his country, together with Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa had a policy of integration and that the move to use national Identity cards for cross border travel was consistent with that policy.
Speaking on the issue of cattle rustling which has already led to Botswana spending in security equipment for the protection of farmers as well as restocking of cattle and small stock to the Bobirwa constituents, Masisi revealed that a meeting is set to take place in July this year between Botswana and Zimbabwe whose purpose is to resolve cross-border livestock rustling and bring it to finality.
The meeting will focus on establishing an agreement framework to address the issue of livestock rustling that affects communities residing along the borders and concerns of governments. He encouraged all relevant officials to act with speed and ensure the implementation of the framework on cooperation, stating that it had a direct correlation on the well-being of citizens.
Regarding the commission, President Masisi said it was created to widen and deepen the scope of bilateral, regional and multilateral relations as well as monitoring progress on previous commitments and exploring new areas of collaboration.
Masisi revealed that during his meeting with Mnangagwa they pledged to task their foreign affairs ministers with developing a comprehensive programme of cooperation covering common interests such as movement of people, agriculture, innovation, education, maritime economy, wildlife, tourism, land management, ecology, water and minerals. This, he said, aimed to achieve the SADC and African Union agenda of integration.
Masisi cautioned about the common issue of the signing and shelving of instruments of cooperation describing such a move as a “practice that we are going to nip in the bud”. He revealed that as the presidents they wanted to facilitate the quick implementation of commitments to reap maximum benefits.
He stated that the cooperation between the two countries dated back to their first formal bilateral relations in 1983 and that it was premised on the two countries’ desire to uplift the livelihoods of their citizens through economic growth, job creation and poverty eradication.
Furthermore, the continued imposition of unilateral sanctions on Zimbabwe remains a concern for Botswana and other SADC countries, who seek their unconditional removal.
'We will persist in advocating for the unconditional lifting of economic sanctions, as they not only affect Zimbabwe but also have detrimental effects on development efforts across our subcontinent,' the official said.
While acknowledging that more work is required, Mnangagwa commended Masisi for his steadfast commitment to enhancing relations between the two nations. Mnangagwa elaborated on the necessity for further efforts, emphasising the need to expedite the implementation of high-impact programmes and projects within both countries.
He highlighted the importance of prioritising cooperation in agriculture to ensure food security and foster value chains within each nation's agricultural sector.
'It is imperative that we maintain confidence in ourselves and cultivate viable value chains across all agricultural sub-sectors,' Mnangagwa remarked.
Additionally, Mnangagwa stressed the significance of unrestricted movement of citizens, goods, and services for fostering stronger economic cooperation. He emphasised that the establishment of a one-stop border post would facilitate trade between the two countries.
Mnangagwa underscored the importance of pursuing cross-border infrastructure projects to enhance economic efficiency and competitiveness vigorously. He expressed optimism regarding the proposed railway line linking Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, foreseeing enhanced regional connectivity, and anticipated robust synergies in the energy sector.