Thousands of Zimbabweans cross into Botswana every month
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Botswana is constructing an 8-foot high electric fence along its border with Zimbabwe.
By the time it is completed, it will run for 400km and cost the government $3.6m.
The Botswana government says that the fence is meant to restrict the movement of livestock across its border because of a previous outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
But this is happening at a time of economic and political turmoil in neighbouring Zimbabwe, when many Zimbabweans are crossing into Botswana in search of a better life.
And they say the fence is designed to keep them out.
Elsewhere, South Africa has also been tightening up its immigration controls - again thousands of Zimbabweans have been sent back home.
And one of the reasons for the conflict in Ivory Coast is the huge number of migrants from neighbouring African countries, which was resented by some "indigenous" Ivorians.
BBC Africa Live asks: Do you want tighter border controls in your country? Or should Africans be able to go wherever they want on the continent? What are the concequences of tighter border controls to a more united Africa?
Join the debate this Wednesday 15 September 2004 at 1630GMT and 1830GMT.
Use the form to send us your comments - some of which will be published below.
If you would like to take part in the discussion, e-mail us with your telephone number, which will not be published.
Your Comments:
Africa opening its borders would be suicidal for the good governments on the continent. There are some countries in Africa that are not encouraging good governance and democracy, why should Botswana give up the rule of law and security for their neighbour? I am strongly in favor of tighter border controls in my country Botswana.
Ndola, USA /Botswana
I am strongly in favor of having the right to go and do business, and know what is at the otherside of the fence. Some governments are creating more problems by dividing ethnic groups in one area. I believe it is time to tun on the light.
Andrew, USA
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There are not enough jobs and resources to support native Egyptians let alone these aliens!
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No way! At least not in Egypt. We already have way too many black African refugees that are truly causing a problem. There are not enough jobs and resources to support native Egyptians let alone these aliens! It is simply not fair.
P. Elyas, Alexandria, Egypt
I believe in tight border controls, but not to the extent of building a fence.The fortunate countries in Africa should always try to accomodate the unfortunate ones. We can't achive the goal for African Union if we start building fences along our borders to prevent people from entreing into the country.
Yembeh, Bo, Sierra leone
I think in this specific case, we should help the Zimbabwean people to overthrow the government of Robert Mugabe. They have done nothing for the people except rob, mug and oppress them.
Jan Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden
Close the borders until the AIDS pandemic is under control.
Abiga Moses, Douala, Cameroon
Not only borders should Africa remove, but also all dangerous weapons that we Africans inherited from the colonialists.
Ericho Chikankheni - Phiri, Blantyre Malawi
The economic wealth of most African states is completely fragile and clearly incomparable even between two geologically related neighbours. The availability of the host country's resources to measure up with the sudden increase in the population, the volume and frequency of immigrants crossing into the host country need special attention in this scenario. For Botswana, with only limited resources for its 2 million people, to have another 10 million immigrants - mostly illegal - crossing the boder from the economically degraded Zimbabwe could be catastrophic. Clearly it is too early to think of free movement between African states.
Gaikitse Mothusi, Motswana in Trinidad , West Indies
Suggesting that Botswana constructing an electric fence is somehow contrary to the AU is deplorable, especially when the allegation originates from within 'fortress Europe'.
Richard, London, UK
African borders should be firmly shut to immigrants. Its the immigrants that rig elections, burn down farms, loot and terrorize their neighborhoods, aid and abete despotic regimes for temporary gains. Zimbabweans must be left to roast in their own juice.
Charlie Igbonoba, Dallas, Tx
Well, I do believe in free movement of people between countries, but remember that Botswana is predominantly a desert country while Zimbabwe is a mostly very fertile country with a large population. The problem is politics and the only solution is getting rid of Mugabe, by force if necessary. What happened to that secret plot for a "Portuguese-style democratic revolution" that Peter Tatchell was talking about here in London a few months back?
Yusuf Smith, New Malden, UK
By opening the borders to all; a country might be prone to threats. Some of the peaceful nations in Africa are surrounded by war stricken nations. If the border control is not tight enough, then the peace of one nation could be at stake.
Bhavik Tailor, Zambia/(U.S.A)
There should not be any restrictions so the economic status of the receiving country can still be maintained without being over diluted by immigrants.
Joseph,N, Cameroonian/USA
Is this the Israel or Berlin wall of Africa? I don't understand.
George Bwala, Lusaka, Zambia
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Even the privileged and well advanced societies like Europe are dragging their heels on the issue of a borderless village.
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I totally disagree with the notion of the very under-developed region like Africa talking of unrestricted access or free borders. The end result has often been one unstable, poor, badly governed country shedding its often energetic, skilled and sometimes hardened criminals, prostitutes, child traffickers, mercenaries, political killers onto another. Even the privileged and well advanced societies like Europe, North America and Canada are dragging their heels on the issue of a borderless village.
Kwame Amankwa, UK
Not only should African countries open their borders, they should put some social welfare programmes to rehabilitate these immigrants. The West too, should remember to open their own borders as a way of global integration.
Toate Ganago, USA
Africa should open its borders so as to allow healthy competition to thrive. This can not be without some form of government supervision as this will surely be prone to abuse by frustrated and sometimes greedy foreigners both Africans and the rest.
John K. Yashim, Nigeria
President Festus Mogae of Botswana should use the $3.6m for health care, education and other important things rather than fencing Botswana from the rest of continent. Actually, Botswana has been well known by many Africans for its hospitality towards refugees and political activists from its neighbouring countries, but why now?
Peter Tuach,Sudanese in USA
As an African American in the United States, I feel it is very important that Africa is free of borders. Doing that will mean Africa, the continent, can one day become Africa, the nation.
Neal Kelley, USA
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A free movement of people in Africa would speed up the process of African unity and integration.
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Independent Africa has no room for the colonial borders. In some cases, they are responsible for wars as it happened between Kenya and Somalia in the 1960s and 70s. A free movement of people in Africa would speed up the process of African unity and integration.
Bosire Mosi, USA
Zimbabweans should stay home. That is not debatable. Hard times hit everybody and we should adjust accordingly. It can only make us stronger and more inventive. Running away from home won't do the trick. I am a Zimbabwean who is forever optimistic. Change is painful, and it does kill, especially those who can't or won't change. Therefore, Botswana should erect its fence and South Africa should send Zimbabweans home.
Juliet, Harare, Zimbabwe
When this project started, the Botswana government said it was constructing this fence in order to stop wild animals but now the animals are turning to be Zimbabweans. This is not going to last forever so I do not blame Gaborone. What one has to remember is Zimbabwe was not in this mess 24 years ago. The regime that is making all this, is about to collapse so I do not see the construction of this fence meaning anything.
Collen Nyandoro, Zimbabwe
I have a dream that one day Africans will be free to travel, live and work wherever they want on the continent. I have a dream that one day some African presidents will realise that real power is in instilling in the mentality of their people the spirit of hard work and competitiveness instead of protecting them from such inevitable reality. I have dream that one day some African presidents will realise that the best way to discourage influx of foreigners into their country is to compete them out of every business they are into.
Ebere Obioha, President of New Africa, Ivory Coast
It would be good for Africans to move freely across the borders, but I oppose this because of insecurity, since some parts of Africa are now become the safe heaven for terrorists.
Atem Mator, USA
No other country tolerates large influxes of immigrants in search of a better life (take, for example, the United States and Mexico). Why should Africa be any different? We are merely protecting our jobs and economies. People should start realizing that Africa has the same needs and desires as the rest of the world!
Tlhogi, Botswana
I am strongly in favour of the free movement of people across Africa, so long as it does not facilitate the spread of conflict and crime across the continent. Weak controls have led to a flood of guns in West Africa. As long as issues of security can be adeqately dealt with, nationality should be easily aquired and mobility must be encouraged.
K.O.Djan, London
Botswana should receive more help from the west in order to help them cope with the influx of immigrants.
McKane, Glasgow, Scotland
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Colonial borders should be abandoned for regional integration
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While the rest of the world is working on regional integration and facilitating greater cross border movement of capitol and people, Africa is still holding fast to borders created long ago by colonial powers that were in constant competition. Africa's borders today reflect that competition. Colonial borders should be abandoned for regional integration.
Mohammed, Mali,Nigeria,USA
Africans should be able to go wherever they want on the continent, but given the colonial legacy of demarcation that Africa has had to live with, it is hard to imagine how that will happen. The African Union, however, can only prosper if border controls are less stringent.
Kiplimo Arap Murgong, North Carolina, USA
Should anybody blame the colonialist who refuse us entry into their countries, if African countries can spend $3.4 million to contruct a barrier fence?
Chuka, Lagos, Nigeria
Yes, I want tighter border control in my country Sierra Leone. I feel that people going out and coming in without checks is bad for a country. A country should have greater security to protect it's people.
Safiatu Kargbo, Freetown, Sierra Leone,
There shouldn't be borders or discrimination on the side of people who feel that they are better than other country's nationals. We should be aware that if not by the grace of God, we would be in the shoes of many migrants. When they come through our borders, the government should have open arms to welcome them, and offer them care service, and hospitality.
Okpala Odilichukwu Ralueke, Nsukka,Nigeria
Why should there be even borders between states? Don't we claim we are all from the same source? Take for example my country Liberia, many of our brothers and sisters died at the border with Ivory Coast at the height of the war all because they were prevented from entering that country. I believe many of them would be alive today if they had been allowed to cross over. There are borders between us because we don't know who we are in the first place.
Stephen S. M. Bendah, Liberia/ Ghana
I think the AU shouldn't try to be too much like the EU. Many African people were formerly nomadic, and it is natural that people want to emigrate in their lifetime. This should be seen as something positive. The world needs to embrace movement of all people or else ideas, methods and cultures will never adapt and survive.
Cameka Hayles, Lyon, France
It is sad that more than forty years after the begining of the struggle for independence, African countries have become self centered. South Africa should not forget that her neighbors sacrificed on behalf of black South Africans during the apartheid struggle. I hope African countries can learn from USA. The stallwarts and geniuses of the world were attracted to America at the turn of the 20th century, so they created the most powerful country in the world. ECOWAS for example is a good idea.
Akim, Norfolk, Virginia
The fact that there are thousands of people migrating from their homelands into neighbouring countries is a sign that something needs to be done to improve their homelands. If things were going well at home, why would people choose to leave? Take Zimbabwe for example. Its people are stuck in a rut that seems to worsen with each passing day.There are few options available to them; be corrupt and underhanded or look for greener pastures. Not everyone can afford to travel across the world so why not border-jump? Tighter border controls will not stop desperate individuals.
Chipo Chikara, Tacoma, WA, USA
If all African governments are comitted to the foward-looking AU initiatives, which are working at fostering uniform development across the continent and which would eventually guarantee the free movement of citizens of member coutries within the region, chanelling funds into the development of physical borders would appear to be an absolute waste. An efficient immigration mechanism is basic to every society if only for planning purposes, but that is distinctly different from fencing off an entire country, which is an irresponsible joke.What then happens to the many villages that straddle the borders of African countries with their artificially demarcated borders?
Kobby, Ghana-USA
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