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The commission, which comprises Ministers of Defence and State Security, service chiefs and senior officers from the security sector in the two neighbouring countries, has been in Bulawayo from Monday discussing bilateral issues of mutual interest in areas of defence, State and public security.
The Zimbabwean delegation was led by the Minister of State for National Security in the President’s Office, Dr Sydney Sekeramayi.
The delegation included Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi and his co-counterpart Mrs Theresa Makone, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Commander of Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga, Zimbabwe Prison Services Commissioner Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, Deputy Police Commissioner General Innocent Matibiri and senior members of the uniformed forces.
The Botswana delegation was led by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse and included the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu and senior government officials.
“The commission endorsed the resolution made by the 32nd Session of the Sadc summit calling for the unconditional lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe by the European Union, the United States of America, Britain and their allies,” said the commission in its joint communiqué issued at the end of its 28th session yesterday.
Zimbabwe is failing to realise its full economic potential because of the Western sanctions.
The embargo has made it difficult for the country to attract foreign direct investment which would result in the creation of jobs and improvement of livelihoods for a majority poor.
Dr Sekeramayi and Mr Seretse officially opened the conference and underscored the need for the two countries to cement their bilateral relations.
Dr Sekeramayi said Zimbabwe and Botswana shared a strong socio-economic and political background, which needed to be cherished and strengthened all the time.
He commended Botswana for supporting Zimbabwe in times of crisis and called for concerted efforts towards fighting external aggression.
Mr Seretse concurred and said security forces have a duty to protect their nations and ensure that their people enjoy their freedom and independence.
The two countries reviewed the implementation of the resolutions from their last meeting, which was held in Gaborone in August last year.
They resolved to intensify bilateral cooperation in dealing with transnational organised crime such as the smuggling of goods, livestock rustling and drug trafficking.
The commission also reiterated the need for continuing cooperation in customs, immigration, parks and wildlife, prison services, defence and security.
On Zimbabwe, the commission noted with satisfaction the progress made so far in the drafting of the new constitution.
Turning to defence issues, the commission noted the prevailing peace in the region but expressed concern at the volatile security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar.
The neighbours said work was being done by the countries’ respective Surveyors General in the reaffirmation of the international border and urged their Governments to provide resources for the completion of the exercise.
The commission applauded Zimbabwe and Botswana for their continued commitment in the fight against foot and mouth disease along their border.
The two countries pledged to work together to ensure the success of the 20th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly that would be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia next year.
In his closing remarks Mr Batshu commended Zimbabwe’s hospitality facilities.
He challenged the two countries to reduce long queues at the Plumtree Border Post and minimise the use of Temporary Travel Documents.
Speaking at the same occasion Minister Mnangagwa called for the timely implementation of the commission’s resolutions.
Meanwhile, the commission noted the retirement of Botswana vice-president Lieutenant-General Mompati Merafhe and the appointment of Dr P.H.K. Kedikilwe as his successor.
The commission also welcomed the appointment of Lt General Gaolatlhe Galebotswe and Mr K Makgophe as commander of the Botswana Defence Forces and the commissioner of police, respectively.
Botswana would host next year’s session.
Online Reporter