Africa-Press – Botswana. There is need for Botswana and South Africa to take full advantage of trade and investment opportunities existing between them and in the region.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation deputy director-general, Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo thus said on the occasion of the Mid-term Review (MTR) of the 5th Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Botswana and South Africa.
“The current levels of trade and investment between our countries are a far cry, compared to the existing potential, and this must change.
Our economic endeavours should buttress efforts towards realising an economically integrated Africa, as envisaged by the framework of the Africa Free Continental Trade Area, which our respective countries have ratified,” he said.
Similarly, Ambassador Seokolo said the two countries should leverage value chain projects whilst ensuring that the pursuit of regional integration was intensified.
He expressed delight that Kazungula Bridge, which was commissioned on May 10, 2021, was immensely thrusting the region and the continent closer to heightened economic cooperation.
Further, Ambassador Seokolo expressed pleasure that since the deployment of SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) in 2021, the situation in the Northern parts of Mozambique had greatly improved.
For that reason, he stressed that ‘South Africa and Botswana, together with our regional partners, should continue to play our role to consolidate peace and stability in Cabo Delgado’.
In pursuit of peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), he said SADC had also taken a principled decision to deploy SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), in the lead-up to December 2023 elections.
Further, as the Congolese people prepare for elections, the Ambassador called upon all partners to play constructive roles to ensure elections took place in a peaceful environment.
He emphasised the need for the support of Saharawi and to ensure the course was realised, submitting that the question of Western Sahara should remain top of the engagements’ agenda.
In his remarks, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Clifford Maribe said the meeting followed the 4th session of the BNC held in Pretoria, South Africa, in April 22, last year.
He, therefore, expressed gratitude that since April 2022 a number of exchanges had taken place between Botswana and South Africa’s various ministries and departments, which demonstrated the unwavering spirit of friendship and cooperation, as well as good neighbourliness, adding that Botswana would be happy to host the 6th BNC.
Furthermore, Mr Maribe encouraged delegates of the two countries to deliberate and interrogate issues, cognisant of the commitments made by their heads of state during the last BNC.
The commitments, he said, included; exchange of views on political and security situation and efforts required towards maintaining peace and security with regard to combating acts of terrorism and violent extremism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.
For that reason, Ambassador Maribe said the Mid-term Review presented an opportunity to reflect and positively engage with a view to coming up with solutions that comprehensively deliver in strengthening and deepening the two countries’ bilateral cooperation, for the mutual benefit of their people and to review progress of implementing decisions of the 5th Botswana/South Africa BNC session.
He said the meeting also presented an opportunity to reflect on regional and continental issues of the two countries’ shared interests.
“I am confident that we shall endeavour to exchange notes on progress made, thus far, on conclusions of the last BNC, and come up with workable solutions to address issues that may be lagging behind,” he added.
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