21 Jun 2023

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has expressed Botswana’s willingness to collaborate with Ethiopia in developing the livestock sector.

Botswana is currently engaged in various projects aimed at not only increasing the livestock population but also improving animal quality.

Receiving letters of credence from Ethiopia Ambassador designate, Dr Muktar Abdu on Wednesday, President Masisi said if the two nations were to collaborate in developing the livestock sector, Ethiopia would benefit as Botswana would offer them semen and other derivatives from the sector.

Dr Masisi said Ethiopia was among African countries that deserved gratitude for advancing the African renaissance values and the Free Trade Area.

He said at a time when Botswana was going through the process of establishing its foundation, Ethiopia was instrumental in guiding the country’s educational process through Therisanyo Commission, which was guided by Ethiopian scholars.

President Masisi said Ethiopia had contributed immensely in building Botswana’s economy through shared skilled manpower, technology, competencies in aviation sector and the leather industry.

Dr  Abdu, said diplomatic relations between the two countries were long standing and that Botswana had been extending support even at times when Ethiopia was faced with conflicts.

Dr Abdu said the two nations’ bilateral relations were based on a strong foundation of Pan Africanism and brotherhood.

He said Ethiopia was successfully resolving conflicts that had been affecting the country’s Northern region and that a peace agreement aimed at solving conflicts in that part of the country was recently signed in Pretoria, South Africa.

Based on what was being done in resolving the said conflict, Dr Abdu said it was evident that African solutions were a remedy for African problems.

 “We are done with the conflict and now focused on advancing the country’s development agenda,” he said. “We are ready to focus on the development endeavor.”

 Dr Abdu said Botswana was a model of democratic leadership as well as commanding a workable and reliable model of multiparty democracy.

“What we want to learn is how you build your democratic principles, as well as guiding your economy to grow from abject poverty to that of middle income status,” he said.

Dr Abdu said Botswana was iconic in nurturing peace and tranquility and therefore, well positioned to guide Ethiopia in that path.

He also said Ethiopia was eager to replicate the system Botswana was using to manage its minerals so that it benefitted its people and fueled the economy, something that has eluded other countries.

“Ethiopia is now giving attention to the mining industry,” said Dr Abdu and noted that if managed accordingly the sector would go a long way in benefiting the people of Ethiopia.

He concurred with President Masisi that the livestock sector was among the leading sectors that the two nations must collaborate in. In terms of livestock population, he said Ethiopia was probably leading in Africa, even though the sector was not most exploited.

Dr Abdu said the two nations must intensify on working on agriculture in its totality, mining, trade and tourism among other sectors.

“We are ready and open to review and receive with open hands request from your country. I see the readiness of Botswana’s leadership and its closeness to the people,” said Dr Abdu. Ends