GABORONE – In a groundbreaking announcement, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed on Thursday that he and his Botswana counterpart, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, have mutually agreed to open up their borders for passport-free travel by their citizens.
Mnangagwa shared this momentous decision during the fifth edition of the annual Kusi Ideas Festival in Gaborone, emphasizing the need for African nations to foster greater connectivity.
“I have been talking to my brother here (Masisi), and we have agreed, I can announce, that from now on, we shall instruct our officials that there shall be no question of how to enter Zimbabwe, how to enter Botswana,” Mnangagwa declared, drawing cheers from the audience.
He continued, “The two of us have agreed, realizing that we are Africans. We should be able to walk into Botswana, walk into Zambia, and walk into Kenya. Why should we restrict ourselves?”
The decision reflects a shared vision to break down barriers and encourage the free movement of people across borders, harkening back to a time when communities lived harmoniously without the artificial constraints imposed by external forces.
“Somebody said in the past we were all living together, then the global north came and made boundaries, where the family’s kitchen became on the other side of the border, the bedroom on the other side of the border.”
“So why should we continue to respect this? Let us open the borders among ourselves and move freely,” Mnangagwa asserted.
Challenges and Economic Disparities
While the announcement signals a significant step towards regional integration, it also raises questions about the practicalities of implementing passport-free travel, especially given the economic disparities between Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Botswana, known for its stability and a GDP of US$ 17.61 billion in 2021, is already home to a substantial Zimbabwean migrant community.
The country annually deports thousands of Zimbabweans for immigration offences.
Botswana has previously embraced a similar arrangement with Namibia.
Commencing on February 24, 2023, Namibia and Botswana began accepting each other’s national identity cards for cross-border business and tourism travel, allowing nationals to enter the other country without a passport for stays of up to 90 days.
The move towards passport-free travel reflects a commitment to regional cooperation and integration, emphasizing shared African identity over artificial boundaries.
The details of the agreement and its implementation are expected to be worked out by officials from both countries in the near future.
