08 Nov 2021

Regional cooperation remains the cornerstone of Botswana’s foreign policy, underpinned by development, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, says President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

In his State-of-the-Nation Address yesterday, he said the country continued to cooperate with its neighbours through various bilateral mechanisms as well as its SADC membership and had since 2019 made notable achievements in international relations and cooperation.   

“Botswana took over the chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security in 2020 to 2021. As the outgoing chair, she will remain in the Organ Troika until August 2022,” he said.

The President said Botswana also held Bureau of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) vice presidency and was a member of the International Federation Committee of the Red Cross and Crescent Societies Compliance and Mediation Committee. 

“In addition, we are a member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO),” he said.

He also noted that Batswana held high positions at various inter-governmental organisations such as the African Union Commission, WHO (Africa Region), African Development Bank and World Bank.

President Masisi also noted that the country held membership and presidency in various international organisations including Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS and the Commission on Population and Development.

In addition, Dr Masisi said the country was actively pursuing hosting the Kimberley Process  secretariat, an institution that promoted diamonds for development. 

“As you will recall, Botswana is a founding member and supporter of the Kimberly Process and hosting the secretariat will give us the opportunity to advance its agenda,” he said. 

The President said as national peace and security could not flourish if the region was in conflict, Botswana participated in initiatives aimed at resolving the political situation in eSwatini and the SADC standby force in Mozambique. 

“This is a demonstration of our eagerness to promote regional peace and security,” he said. 

Dr Masisi said Botswana was also concerned about human rights violations and political instability in some parts of Africa and continued to encourage conflicting parties in those countries to resolve their political differences amicably.

 “The government of Botswana condemns in the strongest terms possible the coup d’etat in Sudan. We also call upon the government of Ethiopia to exercise restraint and commit to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in their country,” said Dr Masisi. ENDS