Botswana hails POLAD

Victoria Falls (New Ziana) – Botswana has hailed Zimbabwe’s Political Actors Dialogue (Polad), citing the important role it has played so far in fostering unity and economic development in the country.

After winning the 2018 Presidential election, President Mnangagwa set up Polad, a dialogue platform to allow all parties that took part in the poll to contribute ideas to nation-building, and also to heal election-related animosities.

Botswana International Affairs and Cooperation Minister Lemogang Kwape said Polad ensured inclusivity and commended the important contributions the forum has made to securing solutions to various issues facing the country.

“Botswana welcomes efforts by the government of Zimbabwe towards economic stability in the country as well as the President’s initiative for national unity under the Political Actors Dialogue,” he said in remarks at the 3rd Zimbabwe-Botswana Bi-National Commission being held in the resort City of Victoria Falls.

“We remain encouraged by the measures put in place geared towards national reconciliation unity and common purpose to ensure the country’s economic recovery.”

Kwape said on top of national dialogue, another crucial element to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery was the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on Harare by Western countries.

He reiterated Botswana’s unwavering support for the Sadc position on the lifting of all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, highlighting that the embargo continued to stifle the economic and political prospects of the whole region.

“I wish to take this opportunity to reaffirm Botswana’s commitment to stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe in addressing developmental challenges confronting both our countries including the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe,” he said.

The European Union and the United States imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe two decades ago to force the government to re-think its land reform policy.

The land reforms involved compulsory acquisition of excess farmland from white farmers to resettle landless peasants.

The sanctions are estimated to have cost the economy nearly US$100 billion.
New Ziana