10 May 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has said Botswana will establish diplomatic relations with SADC’s newest member, Comoros.

He said the relations will be based in the spirit of solidarity and peace that would be of mutual benefit to both countries.

President Masisi said this during his meeting with his counterpart, President Azali Assoumani in Moroni on Tuesday while on a working visit.

The less than 24 hours visit comes within the scope of willingness of both heads of states to establish diplomatic relations.

President Masisi said, “it is plain and straight forward and a prerequisite that for any investment to happen there has to be a safe, peaceful passage, willingness and an opening of doors. So the first we will do is establishing formal diplomatic relations with Comoros.”

Both presidents addressed various issues of common interest by reaffirming their resolve to work in concert to implement positive initiatives that conform to the priorities of both governments and SADC.

Both presidents also reiterated their readiness to establish cooperation relations between their two countries on the basis of the universal values of the respect of freedom, democracy, rule of law and good governance.

They also committed to cooperate for a new world order of justice and equity; the foundation for peace and stability.

For his part, President Assoumani said Botswana was an example in terms of stability and growth. He further said, “we need you for investment and strengthening our bilateral relations.”

He further said they wanted to benchmark with Botswana on how Botswana had managed to maintain her peace and stability despite what was going on around the world and in the region.

Both presidents condemned terrorism in all its forms and recognised that the spreading of this plague would jeopardise international peace and security.

President Masisi also reiterated that he came to strengthen bilateral relations and thanked President Assoumani for his warm reception and the views he put towards him.

The small Island of Comoros was admitted as a new member of SADC at the 37th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government meeting in Pretoria, South Africa in August last year. The admission of the Union of Comoros brought the number of SADC Member States to 16. The Union of Comoros is located in the Mozambique Channel to the northwest of Madagascar. The Comoro Islands, which make the Union of Comoros, cover a total area of 2361 km².

President Masisi was accompanied by Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Vincent Seretse, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama, Minister for Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Ngaka Ngaka and Minister of Basic Education, Mr Bagalatia Arone and other government officials. ENDS