20 Apr 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says Botswana will continue to play a role in building regional and global cooperation.

Speaking during his meeting with Diplomats on Thursday, President Khama said Botswana as a member of Southern African Development Community (SADC) continued to effectively contribute towards regional efforts aimed at deepening regional integration.

“Botswana also continues to play an active role in the consolidation of democracy, peace and security in the SADC region,” he said.

The President further said while the region enjoyd peace and stability, Botswana was concerned by the political and security situation in Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At continental level, the President said Botswana continued to actively participate in the activities of the African Union aimed at advancing the continental development agenda.

In 2016, Botswana assumed membership of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

“This membership affords us an opportunity to contribute towards efforts aimed at addressing issues relating to peace and security on the African continent,” he said.

President Khama stated that despite Botswana facing its own challenges, it has risen to the occasion and made modest humanitarian contributions to countries affected by natural disasters.

At the global level, he said Botswana continued to articulate her principled position on matters of critical importance.

“We continue to use our membership at the Human Rights Council to advance issues of good governance, the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights,” he said.

President Khama further said Botswana would continue to offer its support to the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which he said served as the only permanent international court of last resort in addressing issues of impunity and war crimes.

“Botswana’s unwavering commitment to the Rome Institute of the ICC is premised on the firm belief that the perpetrators of the worst crimes under international law must ultimately be brought to justice and face the victims of their actions,” he said.

He said Botswana was deeply concerned about the protracted bloodshed in Syria, which has since 2011 subjected many innocent Syrian people and children to carnage and inhumane suffering.

“We therefore appeal to the international community, in particular the United Nations Security Council to act swiftly and collectively to find durable solutions to the conflict,” he said.

President Khama said while military intervention was not always the best remedy, Botswana was of the view that USA’s missile strike on the Syrian military targets was part of the ongoing collective efforts to curb the continued human rights violations in Syria.

The President stated that Botswana was also concerned about the blatant human rights violations in the rogue state of North Korea through its continuous testing of ballistic missiles in contravention of international law.

“We therefore urge the international community to act promptly and collectively in making North Korea account for its despicable actions,” he said.

President Khama revealed that Botswana had terminated diplomatic relations with North Korea as a result of the security threat posed by that country to international peace and security as well as growing violations of human rights.

The President further said his government remained committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and through assistance from UNDP, a National Committee had been formed to spearhead the dimestication process.

He further said Botswana contributed to global efforts aimed at addressing global challenges relating to climate change, terrorism, trafficking and organised crime.

“These challenges, which know no borders, affects us all and require our concerted efforts to make the world we live in a better place for future generations,” he said.

The event was attended by the Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, cabinet ministers, diplomats accredited to Botswana and Botswana’s own envoys. BOPA