The use of IDs may well make it easier for criminals to move between Botswana and Namibia- Sennye
Government of Botswana recently signed a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOU) to make the use of National identity cards/Omang travel documents to cross borders of the two countries legal and official.
Speaking at the launch, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said that the use of Omang is only applicable as a travel document at Mamuno/Trans Kalahari border post while at Dobe Border Post it will be rolled upon completion of infrastructure and installation of necessary systems to be undertaken in the coming financial year. The Voice Reporter, DANIEL CHIDA, engages analysts on the move after it was met with mixed reactions by the public.
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Professor Motsumi Marobela
The use of Omang cards instead of passports between Namibia and Botswana is a welcome development. It will help ease the movement of people, as it takes a lot of time to get passports.
This will also add value in facilitating trade. Apart from that, as a socialist, I argue for free movement of people and open borders. But why Namibia and why now? Compared to Namibia, we share much more cultural and ethnic bonds with South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Much more trade and travel movements occur across these borders. Why is Omang only discussed for Namibia and not the other countries and just a year before elections? Perhaps this should have been an integrated SADC initiative. How does government guarantee that Omang cards will not be politically compromised. One should avoid giving the impression of ulterior motives.
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Obuseng Sennye
I have no clue what the rationale for the use of IDs by Batswana and Namibians to cross their common border is. It may well be about making life a little easier for border communities, which have families/relatives separated by the border.
The impact on social wellbeing may be significant in this case, particularly if many people do not have passports. On the trade front, I am not convinced that the use of IDs would make much of a difference. I am inclined to believe that for the most part, traders have passports, so the IDs are just an additional document for facilitating cross border travel between the two countries.
If my surmise is right, then the impact of the IDs on cross-border trade between the two countries may be quite marginal. I have a fear though, that the border will become considerably more porous.
I doubt that the IDs have security features comparable to those of passports. The use of IDs may well make it easier for criminals to move between Botswana and Namibia.