18 Jun 2013

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation does not have a special vote to assist Batswana who might be stranded outside the country, department of public relations, research and information director has said.

Responding to a question from members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi on Monday, Mr Diabi Mmualefhe explained that though there was no financial aid given to such people, Botswana embassies in such countries always offered possible assistance through their powers.

Mr Mmualefhe also indicated that at times such powers were limited because they were in foreign land. Thus, he urged Batswana travelling outside to always notify foreign affairs office or Botswana embassies upon their arrival, so that they could be offered assistance in such difficult times. 

On one hand, he said though it could be ideal to have a special vote, the current prevailing economic condition did not allow for such. Currently, he said Botswana embassies could only be used as facilitators between the stranded individual and their relatives.

 Furthermore, Mr Mmualefhe said while he acknowledged that there were cases where Batswana were reported to have been stranded outside the country before, such cases were rare, particularly given that Batswana were usually cautious but only fell prey to unscrupulous people.

In another question, North East region representative, Kgosi Thabo Masunga asked whether the ministry had so far documented its foreign policy, which could be used to guide the country while reacting to foreign issues. To that, Mr Mmualefhe said they were still compiling a document and work on the policy guide was being incorporated into it.

He also told members that the foreign affairs minister consulted with his lieutenants, at times, before commenting or reacting to international events affecting the country directly or indirectly.

He explained that the minister was appointed by the state president to oversee ministerial activities; something he said showed the minister’s capability to speak on the country’s behalf, without provoking the situation.

Meanwhile, Mr Mmualefhe told dikgosi that ambassadors' length of service was determined by the President while embassy official staff usually served up to four years before they could be transferred.

He also explained that both ambassadors and officials on foreign missions were screened before posting to eliminate possibilities of assigning incompetent officers.

Ambassadors especially, he said were responsible for attracting investment opportunities for the country and should therefore paint a good picture of their country.

Dikgosi heard that currently, the country had nine missions in Africa, four in Asia, two in North America, one in The Gulf region and one in South America. Botswana also has 21 consulates around the world. ENDS