Botswana Guinea-Bissau poised for relations
16 Jan 2025
The smooth political transitions which took place in Botswana to usher in the government led by President Advocate Duma Boko, and a few years prior, the ascendance of Guinea-Bissau President, General Umaro Embalo after democratic polls, are emblematic of maturing democracy in Africa, which is vital for the continent.
This was expressed by President Boko while giving an address during an official dinner he hosted for the visiting Guinea-Bissau head of state in Gaborone on Wednesday night.
President Boko drew parallels between the political developments in Botswana and Guinea-Bissau and stressed the importance of smooth democratic outcomes.
Noting that he led the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) to an electoral victory over the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) which had governed the country for 58 years, and there had been a smooth handover of power from former President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi,
President Boko said the country had demonstrated exemplary political maturity.
Advocate Boko added that his counterpart, President Embalo, also won the Guinea-Bissau elections in 2019, defeating a party that had dominated the West African state’s politics since independence, and although there were initially legal challenges to the outcome, the country eventually united across the political divide to rally behind the new leadership.
“That is emblematic of deep commitment to democracy, that where there are differences they should not precipitate civil strife which destabilise not only our countries but the continent. Our election removed a party that was in power 58 years. It was a brotherly exchange where one handed the baton to the other without bitterness, out of respect for the will of the people, who invested in the heroic change,” President Boko said.
He further said Botswana was extending a hand of friendship to Guinea-Bissau for closer cooperation, in fields such as mining, where the country has been operating responsibility to the benefit of its people.
President Boko further said Botswana sought to facilitate its private sector to visit Guinea-Bissau to explore trade opportunities, with a view to investment there.
“We believe we are poised to bring change to the continent. It is about time Africa moves towards progress, that we propel this continent towards prosperity for its people. Our generation of leaders should work towards transforming the continent; we reach out to Guinea-Bissau to deepened connections,” Advocate Boko said.
President Embalo concurred that Botswana and Guinea-Bissau were well poised to strengthen relations, stating that geographic distance should not be a barrier to strong ties.
“We need to look at establishing strong trade ties between the two countries, and collaborate in areas such as education, health, culture and academic exchange. Our two countries have always worked together, and I am here to explore areas of mutual interest. Botswana is a good model of good governance and democracy in Africa,” President Embalo said.
He stressed that Africa needed to work on utilising its resources for the continent’s greater benefit, creating industries, trade value chains and jobs to grow the continental economic base. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Pako Lebanna
Location : GABORONE
Event : Official dinner
Date : 16 Jan 2025