Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA and Botswana have officially launched the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Plan aimed at enhancing border security and curbing illegal activities along the shared border.
The launch took place in Kasane, Botswana, under the theme “Working together to ensure peaceful coexistence, security, and human development.” The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Frans Kapofi, revealed that this was the first launch of the plan, with another launch set to follow in Katima Mulilo on Thursday.
Kapofi acknowledged that Namibia and Botswana have experienced a fair share of border-related conflicts over the years, some resulting in fatalities. However, he emphasized that both countries have consistently prioritized peaceful resolutions, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining harmonious border relations.
“It is natural for family members to have differences sometimes. Batswana and Namibians have had their difference too, sometimes resulting in losses of lives. The good thing that has always happened amidst those differences, is that our two governments have always sought peaceful resolutions, including seeking legal recourses. Our differences have always revolved around activities taking place along the borderline, which is not identifiable at some points,” Kapofi said.
The Defence Minister also highlighted several ongoing border-related challenges faced by Namibia and Botswana, including illegal fishing, illegal border crossings, housebreaking at lodges along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, cattle theft, and poaching.
“It is, however, disheartening that those crimes are being perpetrated by foreign nationals who sometimes take advantage of our peoples’ hospitality to commit such crimes. It is thus with that in mind that our two Presidents, during the inaugural session of the Botswana-Namibia Bi-National Commission, held in Gaborone from 05 to 09 September 2022, directed the two Defence Forces to develop a detailed plan to commence Civil-Military Cooperation activities targeting communities living along the common border,” Kapofi said.
Botswana’s Defence and Security Minister, Thomas Mmusi, described the plan as a joint effort to be implemented by the defence forces of both nations. The plan, he revealed, includes routine coordinated patrols to enhance border security and curb illegal activities.
“Our defence forces will conduct coordinated patrols along the Botswana-Namibia border. These patrols will not only ensure the safety of our citizens, but also foster greater cooperation and trust between in our military forces,” Mmusi added.
