06 Dec 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says Botswana continues to be an active and influential player on diverse issues of national interests at bilateral, regional and multilateral fora.

In his State-of-the-Nation-Address Monday (December 5), President Khama said as a member of the community of nations that cherishes freedom, peace, good governance and the full enjoyment of life, it was in the country’s strategic interests to contribute towards addressing the increasing global challenges of climate change, food security, conflict, terrorism and transnational crime.

“We continue to be deeply concerned by the growing number of armed conflicts in various parts of the world.

In the case of Syria, we note that, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, protracted fighting has already caused over as quarter million deaths and 1.5 million casualties, while resulting in the displacement of some 12.5 million people,” he said.

He added that escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, along with the blatant violations of universal values by some, was quite disheartening.

“We shall, therefore, continue to appeal to others in the international community, particularly at the level of the United Nations Security Council, to step up our collective efforts to bring an end to this ongoing trans-national disaster.”

He indicated that Botswana had reaffirmed her commitment to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Criminal Justice system, saying “we are furthermore at an advanced stage in domesticating the Rome Statute, and making it part of our national laws.”

Consistent with the commitment to uphold international peace and security, President Khama indicated that in April 2016, Botswana was elected a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council for a period of two years.

“We were also pleased to have been re-elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is a clear manifestation of the respect we enjoy in the international community,” he said.

He added that Botswana had further remained engaged in finding solutions to peace and security challenges in the sub-region.

“In the context of my chairmanship of SADC, I convened two summits of the SADC Double Troika which were aimed at addressing instability in the region. As SADC Chairperson, I also convened three ministerial workshops to deliberate on the challenges experienced by the SADC relating to food insecurity and poverty eradication; water and energy crisis as well as curbing illegal trade in wildlife. The workshops culminated in the drafting strategies that were subsequently adopted at this year’s Summit,” he said.

Further, he said government continued to forge bilateral partnerships and broaden cooperation with various nations.

Over the past year, he said he undertook state visits to Angola, Mozambique and the Republic of South Korea.

President Khama had also hosted Presidents of Kenya and Namibia, some visits he said allowed the country to take stock of its bilateral relations, while reflected the goodwill that Botswana enjoyed with other countries.

He also indicated that progress that Botswana had made over the past 50 years had been facilitated by the generous assistance received from international partners.

“I therefore, take this opportunity to once more acknowledge and thank all of the countries and international organisations, including private institutions and individuals, who have supported us in our journey.

Yesterday are hearts were with the Cuban people as they said farewell to their former President Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, who will be forever remembered for his steadfast support for our region’s liberation,” he said.

Further, he said Botswana would remain further grateful for the generous assistance she continued to receive from the government and people of Cuba, especially in the areas of medical personnel, sports and human development.

“This contribution is all the more remarkable given that Cuba itself is a relatively small developing country,” he said. ENDS