The call follows the launch of the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) between Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and Namibian Defence Force (NDF) that was held in Kasane and Katima Mulilo, Namibia respectively last week which aims to determine opportunities for humanitarian intervention to improve the livelihoods of the people living along the borderline and to fight cross-border crime. Despite the excellent bilateral relations existing between the two nations, communities living along the border, particularly in some parts of the Zambezi region and the Chobe District in Botswana, continue to face challenges related to their legal movement along the border to access shared natural and water resources. Back in 1992, there was a skirmish between Namibia and Botswana soldiers on Sedudu Island that was resolved by the International Court of Justice in favour of Botswana back in 1999. A few years ago residents of the Zambezi region protested against the Botswana government for what they deemed the BDF shoot-to-kill policy hostile. That was after three Namibian brothers and their cousin were shot dead by the BDF soldiers along the Chobe River but the two nation’s leaders ensured the situation was contained before it escalated. Despite these past disputes, Namibia remains home for Batswana something that was demonstrated by the hospitality received in Namibia last Friday as CIMIC was launched at Katima Mulilo Sport Stadium.
The hospitality was even cemented by a performance by the Luhonono Youth Cultural Group singing a song in which they asked what Batswana were doing in Namibia. The other replied, "They are here for us as two nations to live in peace and harmony," a performance that was welcomed with ululations. Speaking at the launch, Namibia’s Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi said the two countries have a unique relationship which is a result of their desire to be close to each other. He said Botswana gained independence before Namibia and Namibian people enjoyed overwhelming support from Botswana as it used to host freedom fighters from Namibia and South Africa. “Let this peace amongst us prevail. Your country has always been there for us, it is indeed a sisterly country and we must continue to tell this history despite some unfortunate incidences along our shared border,” Kapofi said.
