The Minister for State Presidency, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, received His Excellency Sandro de Oliveira, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to Botswana, for bilateral discussions aimed at further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Minister Mohwasa highlighted the excellent and longstanding diplomatic relations between Botswana and Angola, which are anchored in shared historical experiences and solidarity. He paid tribute to Angola’s critical contribution to the liberation of Southern Africa, particularly the Battle of Cuito-Cuanavale, a landmark event that accelerated the region’s freedom and brought enhanced stability, thereby benefiting Botswana as a Frontline State.
The Minister recalled Botswana’s demonstration of solidarity through the hosting of Angolan refugees during the civil war. He expressed Botswana’s keen interest in expanding cooperation in natural resources, including lead and oil, as well as in the fields of conservation and tourism. He noted that linguistic differences stemming from colonial legacies should not hinder joint progress, saying, "We should succeed together."
Ambassador de Oliveira expressed sincere appreciation for the warm hospitality and reaffirmed Angola’s strong resolve to deepen bilateral ties. He commended Botswana’s consistent role in promoting peace and humanitarian initiatives across the region.
The Ambassador informed the Minister that the recent visit by President Duma Boko to his Angolan counterpart President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço was very fruitful and he is hoping for a reciprocal visit to Botswana.
On wildlife conservation, Ambassador de Oliveira recalled Botswana’s offer of 1,000 elephants to Angola. This important gesture aims to establish natural migration corridors, allowing elephants to move freely between the two countries, thereby creating enhanced opportunities for tourism development in Angola through vibrant transboundary wildlife routes.
In the area of energy cooperation, the Ambassador noted that the Angolan Oil Commission is actively advancing discussions, with a public statement anticipated in due course.
Minister Mohwasa confirmed Botswana’s readiness to host the President of Angola.
Both sides expressed their firm commitment to translating the warm relations into tangible cooperation in trade, natural resources, conservation, tourism, defence, and citizen-to-citizen exchanges, in the spirit of good neighbourliness and SADC solidarity.
