Harare, February 12, 2018 (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa left Harare on Monday for Gaborone, Botswana on a two day state visit for talks with his counterpart President Ian Khama.
The visit, at the invitation of President Khama, will afford the two leaders a chance to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties and matters of mutual concern. President Mnangagwa’s trip to Botswana is his first state visit since assuming office in November last year.
“The visit will afford the two leaders an opportunity to deliberate on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern,” said the Botswana government.
“His Excellency, President Mnangagwa will be accompanied by some ministers, as well as senior government officials and members of the Zimbabwe business community. His Excellency President Mnangagwa and his entourage will return to Zimbabwe on 13th February 2018.”
A joint permanent commission meeting preceded the state visit and discussed several issues meant to broaden bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, energy, tourism, education and health.
Other issues that were discussed included control of trans-boundary animal diseases, cultural cooperation, shared water courses and transport.
The visit could also herald the thawing of relations which had turned frosty under former President Robert Mugabe’s government.
President Khama was always critical of former President Mugabe’s rule, and called on him to step down on several occasions.
President Mnangagwa latest visit is also meant to explain to his counterpart the political developments that led to him assuming power last year.
Already, he has been to South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia and Namibia.
New Ziana