29 Nov 2020

 As sister states in SADC and the broader African continent, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are eager to strengthen mutually beneficial relations.

Leaders of the two countries, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Mr Félix Tshisekedi disclosed this during a press conference at the end of Friday’s extraordinary SADC Organ Troika summit in Gaborone.

The two had earlier in the day held bilateral talks which they described as cordial and fruitful with the DRC leader keen to learn from Botswana’s experience in maintaining democracy and utilising mineral revenue for economic development.

“There are many people in the DRC who believe in the same values that we in Botswana hold dear; peace, stability, democracy, human rights. We have no national interest in the DRC other than a desire to see these values extended to a sister state, which would in the long term have political and economic benefit for the entire region,” Dr Masisi said.

The President invited his Congolese counterpart to undertake a state visit to Botswana “at a time most convenient to him,” which would allow the host to share experiences in diamond mining for example as well as in the area of governance.

With Botswana being incoming chair of the Kimberly Process, which unites governments, civil society and industry players in combating the sale of conflict diamonds globally, Dr Masisi said it would be an opportune time to exchange notes with DRC, which had led the process before.

Mr Tshisekedi said he would be happy to oblige to a state visit particularly since he held Botswana in the highest regard.

He said many countries across the continent could learn from Botswana’s peace and democratic tradition, maintained since independence, as well its harnessing of natural resources for development.

Mr Tshisekedi said he shared the values that helped Botswana to progress.

Acknowledging that conflict had denied his country progress for decades, Mr Tshisekedi said he was committed to cultivating a democratic culture that depended on good governance and the rule of law.

This would in the long term allow DRC to utilise its rich natural resources for economic growth and development, he said.

He expressed gratitude to SADC for its continued support in efforts to address the current conflict in the Eastern DRC. ends