11 Jul 2016

Adoption and prudent use of soft power by Botswana has worked well to project the country’s stance and persuade the international community to buy in to its views since independence, says Mr Molosiwa Selepeng.

The diplomat said during the just-ended four-day Youth Leadership Training Programme in Cumberland hotel in Lobatse that a state which employs soft power as an instrument enjoys the goodwill, respect and admiration of others as they seek to emulate it.

“States of similar size and smaller ones will seek to copy it and bigger states will provide it with assistance so as to claim the credit or bask in the glory of its success,” he stated.

The former permanent secretary to the President and High Commissioner to Australia highlighted that unlike the hard power stance, which usually involves the use of unjustified power or inducement that leads to loss of respect and goodwill by other nations, the approach has thus endeared Botswana to many nations.

He said at independence, Botswana, a country counted among the 50 Highly Impoverished Poor Countries (HIPCs), with no standing army had no choice but to embrace soft power approach.

“Under the circumstances, the concept of applying “hard power” in her foreign policy was just too remote, if not impossible. The only viable option was to go for “soft power”, to make as many friends as possible around the world.

Botswana’s application of “soft power” policies according to Mr Selepeng did not only ensure her survival but also guaranteed survival of refugees fleeing from the oppressive South African government of the time; something he said convinced the African Union that Botswana’s continued survival will not only contribute to the welfare of the oppressed but would also push for a lasting solution to issues of regional apartheid and colonialism.

Mr Selepeng mentioned the act of accepting and caring for refugees raised the profile and influence of Botswana around the world, resulting in the first President of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama being awarded the Nansen Medal in recognition of the country’s policy on refugees.

Mr Selepeng said the South African apartheid government pointed fingers at Botswana saying the latter was harbouring terrorists to attack her prior to subsequent military attacks against Botswana.  

The biggest attack was in June 14, 1985, where 12 innocent South African refugees were murdered in their sleep by an army detachment.

He said it was through the decisive use of the soft power approach that Botswana was able to convince the rest of the world that her role as a democratic and successful black ruled country demonstrated that apartheid was irrelevant and that the fear of black majority rule was misplaced.

Mr Selepeng concluded that to this end, Botswana’s position on international issues could be predicated and relied upon and that her principles of support for democracy and the rule of law were known.

He cited as an example, the resort to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), when Namibia claimed Sedudu Island in 1992, the case which was ruled in favour of Botswana in 1999.

“The country has always denounced military coups and acts of violence and firmly believes in the maintenance of colonial boundaries as per the Organisation of African Union charter. In addition, Botswana has always been respected for keeping its word in international accords,” he said.

“It is these attributes that can go a long way to enhance any country’s stature in international relations,” he said. ENDS