Angolan President João Lourenço Friday in Gaberone confirmed Botswana’s pledge to send 80,000 elephants to Angola to repopulate national parks, in what he believes that the move will attract tourists.
Angolan head of State confirmed this at the beginning of official talks between delegations from the two countries, adding that the animals will be housed, mainly in the country’s east parks.
João Lourenço defended joint work on preparation of the corridors to ensure the translocation of animals from northern Botswana to the national parks of Mavinga and Luengue-Luina, both in the province of Cuando Cubango (Angola).
“With elephants in the parks, we believe that the attraction of tourists will be guaranteed,” said João Lourenço.
In Addition to Angola, the KAZA project, called Okavambo-Zambeze, is being implemented by five States. They include Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Angola is a signatory country, but has not yet ratified the agreement. “We will do this soon,” he emphasised.
João Lourenço announced plans to start exploring the parks and nature reserves it has, particularly in this area of KAZA conservation, which covers the provinces of Cuando Cubango, Moxico and Bié, where the Luiana, Mavinga and Cameia nature reserve parks are located.
Angolan head of State also considered the visit an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economics, the exchange of views on the political situation, peace and security, not only in the SADC region, but in general on the continent and the world.
The president thanked Botswana for its support for Angola’s candidacy to the top job of the African Union for the year 2025.
President João Lourenço started Thursday (20) a two day visit to Botswana.
The two countries have as potential areas of cooperation the diamond, education, health and environment sectors.
Angola and Botswana diplomatic relations date back to February 18, 1976.
In February 2006, the two countries signed a General Cooperation Agreement.
In the co-operation between Angola and Botswana, the diamond sector is a priority, along with the education, health and environment sectors
Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)