10 Jun 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says some SADC member states are receptive to Botswana’s candidacy for the organisation’s executive secretary position. 

Addressing the media yesterday prior to leaving for Tanzania, Dr Masisi urged members of the fourth estate and the entire nation to rally behind ambassador-at-large, Mr Elias Magosi, who is contesting for the position against Democratic Republic of Congo’s Professor Faustin Mukela. 

Between now and August, when elections for the position would take place during the SADC summit, Batswana should double efforts in the campaign for the post, he said. 

The President revealed that the two candidates had undergone interviews.

He said while in Tanzania, he would engage President Samia Hassan on the campaign as she had the final word on how her country would vote. 

Dr Masisi said he would also discuss ways of broadening and enhancing the scope of bilateral cooperation and deliberate on the political and security situation in the SADC region with his counterpart.  

He said Botswana and Tanzania enjoyed decades of cordial bilateral relations dating back to the frontline states movement.

They had over the years cooperated in various areas  such as finance, works and transport, training and human resource development, he said 

The President, who is accompanied by Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape and is expected back home today. Ends