The border dispute between Zimbabwe and Botswana, centered on border beacon BB842, persists four years after the Kazungula Bridge opened. Efforts to resolve the issue, including high-level meetings, have not succeeded, leading to ongoing tensions and unresolved claims about territory encroachment. The situation underscores the challenges of managing international borders and the necessity for diplomatic engagement.
The ongoing border dispute between Zimbabwe and Botswana, ignited by the construction of the Kazungula Bridge, remains unresolved four years post-its US$259.3 million inauguration. Tensions are particularly high concerning border beacon BB842, the central point of contention. Despite multiple high-level discussions, both nations have yet to reconcile their differences regarding the border’s demarcation.
The Kazungula Bridge, a 923-meter structure that connects Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, was co-financed by Zambia and Botswana, alongside support from international financiers such as the African Development Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the European Union-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund. However, the project has inadvertently highlighted a territorial dispute between the two neighboring countries.
The core of the disagreement revolves around the placement of border beacon BB842, with Botswana asserting that it has been inaccurately marked. Tensions flared after officials from Botswana identified potential discrepancies in its location during a routine verification exercise, exacerbating an already delicate situation.
Numerous diplomatic engagements in 2023, including a key meeting in December attended by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Anxious Masuka, and Botswana’s then-Minister, Kefentse Mzwinila, at the Kazungula border, concluded without resolution. These talks, which included Zimbabwe’s Surveyor General, Edwin Guvaza, resulted in a stalemate, with the dispute remaining unresolved.
In a recent statement to The Independent, Surveyor General Guvaza confirmed the ongoing negotiations but noted that certain details were confidential and not suitable for public disclosure. He indicated that the matter is now directly overseen by Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and his counterpart in Botswana.
Attempts to reach senior members of Botswana’s government for comment on the dispute, including the acting Lands and Agriculture Minister and government spokesperson, received no responses prior to publication. The underlying claim centers on the Kazungula Bridge being deemed to encroach upon Zimbabwean territory, with Zimbabwean officials presenting a strong argument to support their position regarding the bridge’s placement.
A source, preferring anonymity, remarked in January 2023, “There is a reaffirmation of border beacons, which is a routine periodic exercise, and Botswana decided that the last beacon by the river (Zambezi) BB842 is in the wrong position.” This misplacement claim by Botswana is fiercely rejected by Zimbabwe, leading to sustained diplomatic tension. As the situation unfolds, the Kazungula Bridge dispute continues to strain relations between the two nations, despite efforts towards resolution.
In conclusion, the border dispute between Zimbabwe and Botswana regarding the Kazungula Bridge remains a significant diplomatic challenge. Centered on the location of border beacon BB842, both nations have thus far failed to achieve a consensus despite numerous discussions. The implications of the dispute on bilateral relations highlight the complexities involved in territorial disputes, reinforcing the need for continued dialogue and negotiation between the two governments.
Original Source: bulawayo24.com
