27 May 2018

A corruption-free Africa will provide opportunities for current and future generations as resources will be distributed to create job opportunities and to build infrastructure that will support better standards for all, says Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Vincent Seretse.

Speaking on Africa Day on May 25, Mr Seretse called for a sustained campaign against corruption in Africa.

He said it was imperative that African countries should work individually and collectively to build strong oversight institutions that would help purge Africa of corruption.

“Corruption should not be tolerated in our modern Africa. We have overcome too many challenges that have not only compromised our development as a continent, but also undermined the legacy of our founding fathers, whose desire was to see Africa free of poverty, hardship, conflict, famine and genocides,” said Mr Seretse.

The minister said a corruption-free Africa would provide opportunites for current and future generations as resources that would have benefitted a corrupt few would be distributed to create job opportunities for the unemployed and to build infrastructure that would support better standards for all.

He said the theme: Winning the fight against corruption: A sustainable path to Africa’s transformation, suited the challenging times Africa found itself in, adding that it was a rallying call to Africans to rid themselves of unfair distribution of resources, unfair access to opportunities and unfettered squander of public resources coupled with selfish enrichment by a few through unconventional means.

“Botswana shares in the ideals of a peaceful and prosperous Africa and calls upon member states to, on this occasion, rededicate themselves to uphold the rule of law as the foundation on which corruption may be uprooted from our continent,” said Mr Seretse.

He implored African countries to eschew corruption, fraud, bribery and similar vices that threatened the continent’s prosperity, and also put at risk the attainment of the continent’s Agenda 2063.

Mr Seretse urged all with power and authority to inculcate a culture of ethical standards, integrity and fearless law enforcement in African countries.

Noting that there was a lot of potential for Africa to be the architect of its own destiny, Mr Seretse cited Agenda 2063 which envisions socio-economic transformation towards integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

“To achieve this, men and women of our times are required to enhance their moral obligations towards creating a lasting legacy for successive generations, just like we have been fortunate to inherit from our fore bearers,” he said.

Mr Seretse said the implementation of Agenda 2063 flagship projects gave Africans the opportunity to look within for answers to challenges afflicting Africa.

“Some of the flagship projects include establishment of the continental free trade area by 2017, silencing the guns by 2020, Africa outer space strategy and establishment of a single African air transport market,” he said.

He said Botswana believed the flagship projects would create room for intra-Africa trade, improved inter-Africa migration and a re-emergence of the political goodwill to end poverty and unemployment for the youth, inequality and lack of opportunities.

Mr Seretse said it was the reason that Botswana signed the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Agreement in January.

“This agreement creates an opportunity for businesses within these three regional economic blocs to have market access to 26 countries with a population of over 632 million,” he said, adding that Botswana had also signed the Kigali Declaration on the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) in March thereby reaffirming its commitment to intra-Africa trade.

He said it was imperative that Botswana continued to position itself not only to benefit, but also to contribute towards the realisation of Agenda 2063.

Mr Seretse said May 25 marked 55 years since the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and 16 years since the transition to the African Union (AU).

He emphasised the need to recognise efforts and achievements of previous leaders.

“As a result of their efforts, we have made a lot of progress in achieving self-determination and eradication of colonialism, which are key ingredients for development. For that reason, Botswana believes that the African Union should remain steadfast in its support and in solidarity with the people of Western Sahara and the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve self-determination, freedom and independence,” he said. ENDS