24 Jan 2016

Botswana is concerned about the alarming rate of terrorist activities, which remain a major threat to international peace and security. 

A news release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation states that terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be tolerated.

The release also states that Botswana is equally concerned about protracted political conflicts, as well as flagrant violation of the principle of Constitutional supremacy, which underpin democratic ideals and values of any progressive state or nation. 

Such acts, it says, which regrettably often occur on the African continent, are a threat to continental efforts aimed at consolidating peace, security and stability.

As such, the release says, Botswana has adopted the position with respect to the latest developments in Burundi, Burkina Faso, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and South Sudan.

It further states that Botswana joins the international community in condemning, in the strongest terms, the recent terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, which claimed the lives of several people and left scores of others injured. 

It adds that Botswana reaffirms the critical need for continued international cooperation and commitment in the fight against terrorism and stands in solidarity with government and people of Burkina Faso as well as the West Africa region following the recent tragedy.

It further states that Botswana is also deeply concerned by the recent nuclear test (allegedly a hydrogen bomb test), which was conducted by North Korea on January 6. 

The release also says Botswana strongly condemns provocative and destabilising act by North Korea, which is a flagrant violation of the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and threatens international peace and security, adding that it also sets a dangerous precedent for other countries.  

Thus, Botswana joins the international community in calling upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fulfil her obligations under the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Botswana further call upon members of the international community who have the capacity, to take stringent measures, including additional sanctions by the UN Security Council, to make the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea face the consequences of its continued destabilising acts.

The release states that Botswana is also concerned by deterioration of humanitarian and security situation including, allegations of human rights violations in Burundi. 

It states that Botswana joins the international community in urging Burundi government and all political parties to exercise maximum restraint and cease hostilities with immediate effect to avoid any further corrosion of the prevailing situation.

Botswana further encourages Burundi government to do all in its power to uphold its primary responsibility to protect civilians and key population groups, as well as, work with all stakeholders towards re-establishing confidence building measures and consolidate peace and security in that country.

Botswana also urges all stakeholders in Burundi, with the support of the international community, to engage and remain fully committed to an inclusive dialogue to address all issues of contention, geared towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. 

The release further states that Botswana supports the ongoing engagement with Burundi by the African Union and the United Nations, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the current security challenges, including through the deployment of a preventative force by the African Union, in order to pacify the situation and prevent further deterioration of the security situation. 

It states that Botswana remains hopeful that perpetrators of alleged human rights abuses, torture and extrajudicial killings will be subjected to independent investigation and prosecution.

On to South Sudan, the release says Botswana welcomes the signing of the Compromise Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, in October 2015, thus creating a new window of opportunity for lasting peace and security.  Ends