Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE and Mozambique must strengthen intelligence sharing and security co-operation to combat the growing threat of drug trafficking and other transnational crimes affecting the region, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.
Speaking during a courtesy call by Mozambique’s Minister of National Defence, Cristovao Chume, who is on a working visit to Zimbabwe, in Harare yesterday, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the two neighbouring countries share a long history of solidarity and must continue working together to safeguard regional peace and security.
She said the increasing movement of illicit drugs across borders posed a serious challenge that required closer collaboration.
“We know that drugs are now affecting our region. Either they are coming from Mozambique or maybe they are coming from Zimbabwe into Mozambique. It is important to share that critical information. We need to protect our territory, our integrity, our sovereignty and our independence.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri is also the chairperson of the National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse.
She said criminal syndicates involved in drug trafficking were increasingly exploiting porous borders, regional transport corridors and advances in technology to move illicit substances across countries.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the growing drug menace was no longer merely a law-enforcement issue, but a national security concern requiring co-ordinated responses from defence and security institutions.
“Drug trafficking is one of the emerging threats that requires us to work together more closely. Criminals do not respect national borders, which is why intelligence sharing between our two countries is critical,” she said.
The Minister noted that the movement of illicit drugs across borders was fuelling substance abuse among young people, contributing to crime and placing additional pressure on health and social welfare systems.
Zimbabwe has, in recent years, intensified its fight against drug and substance abuse through a Whole-of-Government approach, with authorities identifying drug trafficking as one of the major drivers of addiction among youths.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri revealed that both countries had agreed to review a defence co-operation agreement signed in 2006, saying it had outlived its usefulness in light of emerging security threats and changing global dynamics.
“We both agreed that the 2006 agreements that we made between our two defence forces have outlived their usefulness,” she said.
“It is, therefore, important to establish an opportunity to review them, given the current world order and the new threats that we are experiencing within the region, as a continent and internationally.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the review would take into account developments such as terrorism, organised crime, cyber threats and advancements in military technology.
She stressed the need for closer collaboration in addressing security challenges affecting Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado Province.
“We know the challenges that Mozambique still experiences in Cabo Delgado and it is important that we exchange intelligence information,” she said. “When Mozambique is under attack, it is an attack on Zimbabwe. We rely on Mozambique. The peace and security prevailing in Mozambique guarantees Zimbabwe a lifeline for our trade, imports and exports.”
Minister Chume said the two countries discussed key areas of cooperation, including military training, capacity building and the exchange of expertise between their defence forces.
“During our visit, we discussed areas of cooperation, in particular training, capacity building and exchange of experience, apart from other areas that we consider strategic for the security of our countries,” he said.
Minister Chume said the relationship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique that was forged during the struggle for independence remained vital in addressing contemporary security challenges.
“As you know, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have been cooperating since the liberation struggle. We fought together both here in Zimbabwe and also in Mozambique,” he said.
“When we achieved independence, we had an obligation to continue working together. In achieving independence, we have an obligation to continue strengthening our co-operation.”
Minister Chume said the security of the two countries was intertwined, making close collaboration essential.
“The security of Mozambique is dependent on the security of Zimbabwe. The same applies to Zimbabwe”.
