27 Mar 2017

A budget proposal for the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation for the 2017/18 financial year amounting to P550.37 million was approved by Parliament on Thursday.
The budget is made up of P500 896 490 recurrent estimates and P49 483 121 development estimates.
Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi explained while tabling the budget that P243 292 100 from the recurrent expenditure would be used for payment of salaries, foreign service and medical allowances, education allowances and remuneration for staff in diplomatic missions.
The minister further outlined that the remaining P257 604 390 was for general expenses and supplies, travel and transportation costs, maintenance and running expenses and replacement of vehicles.
She said P18.8 million from the development expenditure would cover the construction of a Chancery in Ethiopia while P14.1 million would finance the completion of renovations to the Chancery building as well as other properties of the Botswana mission in Washington D.C.
Still under the development expenditure, Dr Venson-Moitoi added that P9.4 million was for renovations of Botswana High Commission properties in Zimbabwe while P4.7 million would be used for renovation and maintenance works at Botswana High Commission in Pretoria. She said P2.4 million would cover renovations of properties of the Johannesburg consulate.
Dr Venson-Moitoi highlighted that her ministry has placed emphasis on advancing an economic diplomacy agenda for Botswana. She said this encompasses attracting foreign direct investment, finding export markets for Botswana products, tourism promotion, as well as soliciting development and technical assistance. She said her ministry has intensified diplomatic engagements with strategic partners in order to maximise opportunities for Batswana. She said the close collaboration with other nations, which Botswana shares democratic ideals with, has earned the country international goodwill which has translated into development support.
“It is therefore, incumbent upon us all to ensure that the enduring friendly relations that we have cultivated with the international community over the years continue to flourish for posterity,” she said.
Contributing to the budget proposal, Moshupa- Manyana MP, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi applauded the international affairs ministry staff for doing a stellar job of representing Botswana abroad. The Vice President said the ministry was important for opening doors and expressing the views of the country. “I am a very proud Motswana because this ministry is representing us so well,” he said, explaining that Botswana plays an important role in the sub-region through its good foreign policy.
The MP for Shoshong, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele called for the establishment of a policy on assisting Batswana who campaign for international positions in organisations such as the African Union and the United Nations. He said it would benefit the country if many Batswana held influential international positions.
Gaborone Bonnington North MP, Mr Duma Boko said Botswana was a depreciating democracy, saying oversight institutions do not serve their functions anymore.
The Leader of Opposition urged the international affairs minister to rethink the position of the country in relation to every geopolitical region of the world and where Botswana wants to be and achieve. Mr Boko said the country should map out its immediate goals in terms of its foreign policy.
He said the country’s military spending was causing discomfort in the region. “We are spending billions on military hardware. We are causing our neighbours to ask themselves who we are going to fight. We should ask ourselves what message our behaviour sends to the rest of the region,” Mr Boko said.
Specifically Elected MP, Mr Eric Molale praised the minister for doing a good job as head of the international affairs ministry. “I am happy with the work of the ministry staff especially those in foreign missions. They have promoted this country very well and it is respected around the world. I urge them to continue their good work,” Mr Molale said.
However, the MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse complained about partisan deployment to the diplomatic service. He said partisan deployment was soiling the diplomatic service.
Meanwhile, the MP for Mogoditshane, Mr Sedirwa Kgoroba asked for transparency on the appointment of ambassadors and staff deployed in foreign missions.
“There must be an open and transparent process for those who qualify to be appointed on merit,” he said. Bobonong MP, Mr Shaw Kgathi called for more funding for foreign missions to improve their facilities and solve outstanding transport challenges. He also advised that the country should stop renting office space for foreign missions, but instead buy properties to save money. ENDS