President Masisi described the sanctions as cruelty against Zimbabwe and expressed cognizance of the external pressures Zimbabwe is currently under, acknowledging the nation's socio-political and economic struggles.
"Botswana is actively exploring diplomatic avenues to resolve immigration matters concerning Zimbabwe," President Masisi conveyed, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration to achieve long-term solutions.
This sentiment marks a noticeable shift from the stance of his predecessor, Ian Khama, who largely aligned with Western stance regarding Zimbabwe.
Notably, President Masisi was among the first to extend congratulatory messages to Zimbabwe after Zanu PF's decisive win in the August 23 Harmonised General elections.
Various global leaders have spoken against the unilateral sanctions placed on Zimbabwe by the United States.
In a recent interaction with journalists ahead of Rwanda's 25th Liberation Day celebrations, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda addressed a question from Zimbabwean journalist Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa.
While acknowledging the positive shifts in Zimbabwe since President Mnangagwa took office, Kagame urged patience and criticized the sanctions, saying that denying a country the tools needed for transformation while simultaneously demanding rapid change is inherently contradictory.
South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, echoed similar sentiments during his speech at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) last month. He strongly called for the removal of sanctions on both Zimbabwe and Cuba, highlighting the detrimental impact such measures have had on their respective economies and overall development.
In a united front against these sanctions, leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region took a decisive step at the 39th SADC Summit.
They collectively designated October 25 as a day for SADC Member States to express their opposition to the sanctions on Zimbabwe. The aim is to sustain this collective voice across diverse platforms and activities until the sanctions are removed.
