The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has congratulated Namibia's ruling Swapo Party on its 66th anniversary.

BDP Executive Secretary Ame Makoba told NBC News in an interview that his party and the Swapo Party share the same liberation history and ethos, as they fought side by side in the trenches of the liberation struggles of their countries.

Makoba said the two liberation movements will continue to work together towards attaining economic freedoms for their countries.

A few days ago, on the occasion of their 66th anniversary, the Secretary General (of the Botswana Democratic Party) on behalf of the President, Central Committee and the entire membership of the party sent a congratulatory message to Her Excellency, Madam President of the Republic of Namibia and leader of the Swapo Party and assured that we are committed to upholding our sound fraternal relations for the future because we share a common past of liberating our respective people and leading our nations into independence."

Makoba described the anniversary as a happy and special occasion for the two parties.

The Swapo Party was originally formed to advocate for immediate Namibian independence from South Africa and became the country's leading party following independence in 1990.