Botswana and Zimbabwe signed an Extradition Treaty that will facilitate the serving of justice for the people of both countries. President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi and his Zimbabwe dean counterart, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa signed the Treaty today (Thursday 28 February 2919) during the inaugural meeting of the Botswana-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission that was held in Harare.
The Treaty accords both countries to fight cross-border crime through exchange of information and will enable either country to extradite a suspect wanted for prosecution in the other country. Other decisions made during the bi-national commission include the commitment to fastrack the establishment of an international trade route, linking Botswana and Zimbabwe to the Eastern markets, through Mozambique known as the Ponta Techobanine Project.
According to President Dr Masisi in his closing remarks, Ponta Techobanine Project is a vital trade corridor that will “unlock the economic potential of the three countries, and also contribute towards greater regional integration”.
He called for the development of robust work programmes that will ensure these commitments become tangible. In particular he urged senior officials of both countries to take advantage of the existing mechanisms, such as the Mid-Term Review to monitor and evaluate progress on the implementation of all the decisions made at BNC.
Masisi said the success of Botswana/Zimbabwe bilateral cooperation is not only important for the SADC Regional Integration Agenda, but also for the realisation of the Continental Agenda as espoused in Agenda 2063.
“This is because, as Africans, our socio-political systems and economies remain inter-woven”, he said. In conclusion Dr. Masisi invited President Mnangagwa to the next Bi-National Commission that will be held in Botswana in early 2020 at dates still to be mutually agreed.