Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eino Vatileni
Published on 2024-03-14 17:00:00
Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi and the late president Hage Geingob shared a vision to eliminate the border between their two countries, a plan that was revealed by Masisi during a memorial service for Geingob in Gaborone. The event was attended by President Nangolo Mbumba and other senior officials.
Masisi expressed his hopes for the ultimate goal of removing the border between Botswana and Namibia, a vision that he and Geingob had discussed. He paid tribute to his “dear brother” Geingob and extended his wishes for peace for Geingob’s soul.
One significant milestone between the two countries was the agreement signed to allow the use of national ID cards as travel documents for citizens at the Trans-Kalahari/Mamuno border post. This initiative was launched in February the previous year, showcasing the cooperation between Namibia and Botswana.
Masisi praised Namibia as a good neighbor and expressed gratitude for the support and friendship extended by Geingob during his time on earth. He emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen the relationship between the two nations under the leadership of President Mbumba.
Mbumba, in his tribute to Geingob, highlighted the late president’s dedication to improving the lives of Namibians since independence. He commended Geingob for his efforts in liberating Namibia and leading the country towards prosperity.
The relationship between Masisi and Geingob was described as brotherly and exceptionally close, with a shared commitment to unity and care for their people. The two leaders had ambitious dreams for their countries, one of which was realized through the use of ID documents as travel documents at the border post.
Mbumba encouraged people to uphold the values of good neighborliness and unity championed by Geingob, urging them to draw inspiration from his legacy. He emphasized the importance of continuing the journey towards a better future for both Botswana and Namibia.
As pan-Africanists, Masisi and Geingob shared common goals and dreams for their countries, with the initiative of using ID documents for travel being a significant step towards facilitating trade and movement between the two nations.
In conclusion, the bond between Namibia and Botswana, as exemplified by the friendship between Geingob and Masisi, serves as a testament to the potential for greater cooperation and unity between African nations. The vision to eliminate the border represents a bold and ambitious goal that reflects the shared values and aspirations of the two countries.
Read the original article on The Namibian
