03 Jun 2018

Botswana and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) have agreed to formalise their diplomatic relations.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi explained when welcoming the Western Sahara president, Mr Brahim Ghali for a historic visit on May 31 that the two countries would have formal cooperation. The three-day working visit was the first by a Western Sahara head of state to Botswana.

“We have decided that we establish diplomatic relations and deepen our bilateral cooperation, which are going to begin by a visit (by President Ghali) to the Karowe mine so that you may get first hand experience of the governing system and see the benefits of application of the rule of law even in mining,” President Masisi said when welcoming President Ghali in Gaborone.

President Masisi pointed that the two countries were united by principles of democracy.

He further said their bond was informed by Botswana’s commitment to democratic dispensations over many years, and the commitment to the African Union (AU) principles on the respect for colonial boundaries, self-determination and decolonisation.

Consequently, President Masisi stated that Botswana was standing by Western Sahara and its people in their quest for independence, and condemned any entity that prevents Western Sahara from realising its independence.

President Ghali said the relations between Western Sahara and Botswana were built on firm grounds of African values.

“We share the same convictions that the relations between states must be based on quality cooperation, solidarity and respect for international law,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to the government of Botswana for supporting the quest by Western Sahara for independence.

He said it was painful to his nation that Morocco was still occupying parts of the Western Sahara.

“As a member state of the continental union, Morocco has an obligation to abide by the principles and goals enshrined in Article four of the AU Constitution, namely the Respect of Borders and Existence of Independence,” he said.

As such, he called on the African Union to enforce its act and compel Morocco to put an end to its occupation of parts of the Sahara republic. ENDS