Namibia-Botswana border cooperation agreements progressing

Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu says the measures taken by the Namibian and Botswana governments to foster economic and peaceful cooperation between the communities living along the border are progressing well.

Sampofu said this yesterday at the opening of the three-day joint coordinating committee meeting between the Zambezi Regional Council and the Chobe District Council held at Katima Mulilo.

He said this in reference to the agreement between the two regional councils signed last year to foster cooperation and exchange best practices.

Along with the civil-military cooperation (Cimic) sensitisation campaign being undertaken by the Namibian Defence Force and the Botswana Defence Force, other stakeholders are raising awareness to combat cross-border crimes such as poaching, illegal crossings, and smuggling of illicit goods.

“We have seen the civil-military cooperation going well between our military forces as border communities are being sensitised to cooperate with them by providing information to fight cross-border crimes. We are looking forward to seeing your participation at this second joint coordinating committee twinning agreement meeting between the two regional councils. It is important to maintain unity of purpose in all our dealings,” Sampofu said.

He then implored the participants to find tangible strategies, suggestions and solutions as they strategise the implementation of the agreement.

“We need to grow our economies through agriculture, mining, fishing and tourism to take our people out of poverty,” he said.

Botswana’s Chobe District Council chairperson, Johane Chenjekwa, said through this twinning agreement, they will ensure the enhancement of economic ties, attraction of investment, and fostering of trade partnerships.

“Such achievements can be realised if we all carry out our assignments diligently; that is, on time and as per the required standard. Countries have entered into agreements that did not yield results; as such, ours should be a different one. I would also like to emphasise us having frequent meetings to check on the progress made as well as to give guidance to the technocrats,” he said.

Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs spokesperson Petrus Shilumbu last week revealed that they are busy with phase two of Cimic, which will cover 27 villages in Namibia and 17 in Botswana.

He added that the campaign, running from 9 June to 5 July, will be undertaken from Mohembo to Union’s End in Namibia and from Shakawe to Union’s End in Botswana.

“Phase two follows the first phase, which was conducted in 2024, covering villages from Impalila Island to Mohembo in Namibia and Kazungula to Shakawe in Botswana,” he said.

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