Geospatial Intelligence : A Panacea to the Mozambique-Zimbabwe Border Insecurity?

Abstract

The study critically examines the efficacy of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) on bilateral cross-border governance, focusing primarily on the Nyamapanda Border, a border separating Mozambique and Zimbabwe to the North-Eastern, as a case study grounding the study.  The central thrust informing the study stems from the background that, despite an Integrated Border management (IBM) framework involving many security details and other organisations, the proliferation of unwanted goods, substances and humans has exposed the porosity of the border. The missing nexus or link is the critical role that GEOINT could play in the improved securitisation of the border. The main thread of argument that informs and grounds the study is premised on the following inquiry to the effect that since GEOINT has been employed in other regions such as the Mexico-USA border with significant success, could it also be adopted in the existing local IBM for improved securitisation of the border?  The study contemplates a perspective of what constitutes an effective and efficient model of border management. In constructing and conceptualising the tropes of the article, a mixed research paradigm or approach was employed, where data were first gleaned through indrepth interviews, followed by questionnaire responses in line with the sequential exploratory design of mixed methods. The study brought to the fore the fact that insignificant progress had been made to implement GEOINT at the Nyamapanda Border. The perceived benefits of GEOINT implementation were realised to revolve around reduced border management costs and improved securitisation intelligence. The pivotal recommendation arising from the study is that, to effectively implement GEOINT, there is need for the government to align its border management policies with those from the region and at bilateral level and there is also need for harmonisation of such with Mozambique. The training and resourcing of border agencies and the co-optation of the border communities are a priority that and enhance the efficacy of GEOINT.