03 Apr 2016

Ambassadors of  Uruguay and South Sudan as well as the Australian High Commissioner last Thursday presented their letters of credence to President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama. 

In an interview after presenting the credentials, Australia’s High Commissioner to Botswana, Mr Adam McCarthy said Botswana was one of the countries that epitomised democracy and that Australia could tap a lot in that regard. Mr McCarthy said the two countries had a lot in common, giving an example of bush fires. 

That, he said, presented an opportunity for the two nations to share technical expertise in finding ways to fight bush fires. 

On other issues, he noted that through the Australia award programme where Batswana students study in Australia, they hoped that graduates would in turn bring back the knowledge and skills to Botswana to benefit the country. 

He also noted that there were Australian companies that were interested in mining in the country. 

Ambassador Daniel Gomez of Uruguay said future prospects looked promising and that working closely with Botswana would improve bilateral relations between the two countries. 

Mr Gomez added that bilateral relations would also help the two countries on issues of livestock and cattle rearing, social and education programmes. 

He also highlighted that Botswana has done well in mining and ecotourism, adding that it was something that his country could learn from. 

Ambassador Philip Natana of South Sudan said Botswana stood by them during the time of their struggle and that the two countries have since been working closely. 

Mr Natana said Botswana supported South Sudan in different fields and that they had students studying in Botswana under agriculture and nursing. 

He also noted that Botswana supported them in the implementation of the peace deal with opposition parties through the appointment of the country’s third president, Dr Festus Mogae as the joint monitoring and evaluation commission chairperson. 

Furthermore, he said they hoped to benefit in areas of minerals and livestock since South Sudan had large numbers of livestock. 

“We are impressed with how Botswana manages her resources to benefit citizens. 

We are also looking forward to receiving Batswana in South Sudan to set up businesses in different sectors of the economy,” he said. Ends