20 Feb 2020

The United Kingdom’s influence and presence in Botswana has waned over the past years,  some Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Justice members have observed.

   They made the observation during a meeting with the visiting UK  Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegation on February 19.

  Committee chairperson and also Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga said the UK seemed to have pulled back on programmes and development projects in the country.

 “In the process other nations have risen to the occasion and assumed that position,” Mr Kapinga said .

  He expressed the hope that the UK would return to its glory days with the realisation of BREXIT.

  Another committee member, Selebi-Phikwe West MP Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse stated that UK support for Botswana declined when the country attained middle income status.

  “This is just an economic indicator that has not yet trickled down to citizens,” he said.

  Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP Mr Mephato Reatile said the waning relationship had extended to trade relations between the two countries.

  The UK was no longer a big trading partner to Botswana, said MP Reatile.

      The UK CPA delegation acknowledged the concerns  confirming that they were aware the UK needed to invest into strengthening relations with Botswana and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.

 “Our influence has definitely waned but I would attribute this to our own political turmoil which has hampered our progress on the continent,” leader of delegation and House of Lords chairperson, Ms Joyce Anelay said.

  The local MPs used the meeting to advocate for support in changing UK perceptions about Botswana’s decision to lift the hunting ban.

 “We hope now that you have interacted with us, you will tell our story better from an informed position,” said another committee member Mr Tumisang Healy, MP for Gaborone Central.

 The CPA UK delegation is on a week-long visit Botswana to engage with different parliamentary portfolio committees and other local entities. ENDs