25 Jul 2024

Chobe District and Zambezi region in Namibia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding intended to drive economic growth and conservation of biodiversity of the Chobe-Zambezi riverine.

The MoU captures twinning in the fields of local economic development, environment and waste management, shared riverine resources, sport and culture as co-signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Lemogang Kwape and his Namibian counterpart Dr Peya Mushelenga during a joint signing in Kasane on Thursday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony Dr Kwape said the signing reaffirmed the commitment of Botswana and Namibia to uplift the socioeconomic livelihoods of people of Chobe and Zambezi region.

“This MoU is a testament to our collective resolve to address common challenges and leverage our shared resources for the betterment of our communities,” Dr Kwape said pointing out that Chobe and Zambezi regions were areas of immense beauty and rich cultural heritage.

 However, he said the regions faced significant challenges like environmental conservation, sustainable economic development and effective management of shared riverine resources.

He said this partnership would focus on implementing best practices and innovative solutions to preserve ecosystems so as to comply with environment and waste management standards.

Dr Kwape indicated that the collaboration would promote cultural exchanges and sport initiatives, fostering a sense of community and mutual respect among citizens.

Dr Mushelenga underscored that the aim of the MoU was to strengthen the long existing peace and stability between the two countries.

He stated that Batswana and Namibians were one people sharing history and cultural heritage and noted that this relationship should be nurtured by society, local and regional government and traditional authorities.

“Peace is paramount and we can’t coexist without it hence it needs to be strengthened so that our people from the borderline can coexist in harmony.”

Dr Mushelenga said in recent months the conflict occurrences between the people along the shared border had declined which he attributed to the recently launched Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Plan by the Botswana and Namibia Defence Forces to harmonise activities along the shared borders.

He said it was essential for the two states to combine resources towards a common goal to continue to fight poaching, smuggling of firearms and drugs, and illegal border crossing among others.

Chobe District Council Chairperson, Mr Chimney Mululwani said the twinning agreement underscored the shared vision of the two regions of cultivating economic growth that was inclusive and responded to the needs of both communities and nature.

He said Chobe and Zambezi were grappling with effects of climate change which included prolonged dry spells, reduction of river shoreline and low farm yields.

Mr Mululwani said issues of human-wildlife conflict exerted a lot of pressure on community livelihood sustainability, hence the importance of sharing best practices on climate change and facilitate Chobe-Zambezi communities to take lead in protection of biodiversity. ENDS