Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to assisting Mozambique in combating terrorism, even after the impending withdrawal of Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops from Cabo Delgado province, state radio reported here Thursday.
Radio Mozambique reported that Masisi emphasised that the departure of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) would not diminish Botswana’s resolve to assist Mozambique in combating violent extremism in Cabo Delgado.
He was speaking after talks with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in Maputo at the start of his three-day state visit on Wednesday.
Nyusi expressed gratitude for Botswana’s role within SAMIM, particularly in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
SAMIM troops, which were deployed in July 2021 to assist the Mozambican army to repel insurgents in Cabo Delgado province, are expected to pull out of Mozambique at the end of July.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements across various sectors, including corruption prevention, technology, agriculture, and investment.
Masisi is on a state visit to Mozambique that began on Wednesday and ends on Friday.
During the visit, Masisi is expected to visit the Cahora Bassa Hydro Plant and take part in a tripartite summit on Friday involving the presidents of Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe where the three leaders would discuss the Techobanine Port Project and the Limpopo Railway Line.
The projects would involve the construction of a deep-water port and a railway line connecting the three countries.
JN/APA