12 Mar 2020

Parliamentarians have thrown their weight behind the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation 2020/2021 budget proposals of over P758 million for both recurrent and development budget.

Contributing to the budget debate, the Member of Parliament for Nkange, Dr Never Tshabang said he supported the proposals but raised a few issues regarding the ministry.

Dr Tshabang said the need for a codified foreign policy was paramount, adding that for a longtime Botswana’s foreign policy had not been clear.

He noted that of recent past, Botswana leaned towards relations with states that had questionable democratic credentials, questionable human rights records and questionable standings as far as the global peace accord was concerned.

Sharing same sentiments, Member of Parliament for Maun West, Mr Dumelang Saleshando also stressed that Botswana’s foreign policy needed to be codified.

He said relations with neighbouring countries had been dented and Botswana was generally viewed with suspicion in the region.

For his part, Okavango legislator Mr Kenny Kapinga, advocated for the secondment of Batswana to international organisations, saying Batswana should be propelled and encouraged and sponsored as they embarked on the international posts.

Mr Kapinga said this would benefit Botswana as the country would be more influential in international affairs, noting that diplomats should be encouraged to learn languages of countries they were placed at to improve efficiency and effectiveness in their work. Tonota legislator Mr Pono Moatlhodi also advocated for the secondment of Batswana to international posts.

He rallied behind Dr Gloria Somolekae who is shortlisted for Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

Mr Moatlhodi said Dr Somolekae was an astute scholar, policy maker and academic, who deserved the position. He said the country should lobby and rally behind her especially that she was a woman.

Mr Moatlhodi said Dr Somolekae’s win would bring pride for Botswana. Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central, Mr Tumisang Healey applauded the role played by the ministry.

Botswana is a worthy field player in diplomatic relations, he said. Mr Healey further stated that government should loudly speak against meddling in internal issues by external forces.

Lerala/Maunatlala legislator, Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele appealed to the minister to take the ministry to the people, starting with Members of Parliament. Mr Modukanele said there was misinformation regarding countries having relations with Botswana and therefore there was need to educate MPs and the nation.

He also said the ministry should visit schools together with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry to teach children about the roles of the two ministries, which were critical to the economic development of the country. ENDS