Zimbabwe and Mozambique have pledged to strengthen intelligence sharing and defence co-operation as the two neighbouring countries intensify efforts to combat drug trafficking and other transnational crimes threatening regional stability.
The commitment was made during a meeting in Harare yesterday between Zimbabwe’s Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, and Mozambique’s Minister of National Defence, Cristovao Chume, who is on a working visit to Zimbabwe.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the growing movement of illicit drugs across borders had become a major security concern requiring closer collaboration between defence and intelligence agencies.
“We know that drugs are now affecting our region. Either they are coming from Mozambique or maybe they are coming from Zimbabwe into Mozambique. It is important to share that critical information. We need to protect our territory, our integrity, our sovereignty and our independence,” she said.
The minister noted that criminal networks were increasingly taking advantage of porous borders, regional transport corridors and technological advancements to facilitate the movement of illicit substances across the region.
“Drug trafficking is one of the emerging threats that requires us to work together more closely. Criminals do not respect national borders, which is why intelligence sharing between our two countries is critical,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri warned that drug trafficking was contributing to rising substance abuse among young people, fuelling criminal activities and placing greater pressure on health and social welfare systems.
She added that the fight against drug trafficking had become a priority for Zimbabwe under the Government’s Whole-of-Government approach to tackling drug and substance abuse.
The two countries also agreed on the need to modernise their defence relations by reviewing an existing bilateral defence co-operation agreement signed in 2006.
“We both agreed that the 2006 agreements that we made between our two defence forces have outlived their usefulness.
“It is, therefore, important to establish an opportunity to review them, given the current world order and the new threats that we are experiencing within the region, as a continent and internationally,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said the proposed review would incorporate emerging security challenges, including terrorism, organised crime, cyber threats and advances in military technology.
The minister also underscored the importance of continued collaboration in addressing security challenges facing Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado Province.
“We know the challenges that Mozambique still experiences in Cabo Delgado and it is important that we exchange intelligence information.
“When Mozambique is under attack, it is an attack on Zimbabwe. We rely on Mozambique. The peace and security prevailing in Mozambique guarantees Zimbabwe a lifeline for our trade, imports and exports,” she said.
She said the close historical, political and economic ties between the two countries made it essential for them to work together to safeguard regional peace, security and development.
The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, with both countries expressing commitment to strengthening defence co-operation and working together to address emerging security threats affecting the region.
