Mozambique and Zimbabwe have agreed to abolish definitively visas between the two countries for holders of diplomatic passports. People living in the border areas will also be allowed to cross from one country into the other without visa formalities.
According to a report in Friday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias", a document to that effect was signed in the northern Mozambican city of Pemba, between Miguel dos Santos, and Augustine Xihure, the general police commanders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe respectively, on Thursday.
Mozambican Interior Ministry spokesperson Nataniel Macamo said that the two parties also agreed to put an end to the tension along the common border, where shooting by Zimbabwean troops has been often reported, resulting in the death of some Mozambican citizens.
"Because the two countries concluded that there are good cooperation relations, it was decided to encourage and strengthen the exchange of experiences, and to work to sort out any differences. Thus, measures will be taken in both countries giving clear instructions to punish any misbehaviour", he said.
The disturbances, occurring particularly in the area of Kuchamano, on the border between Zimbabwe and the western Mozambican province of Tete, are started by the Zimbabweans.
The border in that area, on the Zimbabwean side, is garrisoned by a military unit, while Mozambique entrusted border security to the police.
Macamo explained that land conflicts between the population on both sides arise because of the lack of fencing along parts of the 4,212 kilometre long border, in both Tete and Manica provinces. Zimbabweans, coveting the fertile land on the Mozambican side, sometimes farm illegally within Mozambican territory.
Macamo said that the best way to solve such situations is not to resort to violence, but to seek ways of living together peacefully.
Macamo said that the police in both countries have submitted a formal request for the relevant authorities to demarcate the border.
For his part, dos Santos said that to facilitate circulation of people and goods between the two countries, it was decided to provide better equipment to the simplified border posts, particularly to cater for the people living near the border, and also to strengthen joint patrols, in order to neutralise any cross border contraband.
Fonte: AIM
