02 Feb 2025

Algeria occupies a very special place in Africa, especially for the Southern Africa region.

This was said by President Advocate Duma Boko during a courtesy call by the special envoy of Algeria President comprising Minister of Communications, Mr Mohamed Meziane and Algeria Ambassador to Botswana, Ms Selma Malika Haddadi.

The special envoy was in the country to solicit a vote for Algeria for the position of the deputy chairmanship of the African Union Commission at the next summit this month.

President Boko said Algeria was renowned for having produced activists and philosophers who had influenced and shaped philosophy and how people viewed the world.

“So Algeria has been very inspirational and as a country, we want to deepen and strengthen the bonds of friendship that exist between us,” he said.

He also said Botswana appreciated the role played by the leadership of Algeria in African politics as well as efforts made to support progressive causes across the continent.

“I therefore encourage Algeria to continue to play a pivotal role in various spaces that your people have been able to serve,” he said, and indicated that such display was the spirit of African solidarity and Pan Africanism.

For his part, Mr Meziane said Algeria had a candidate at the next summit of the African Union and that they needed the support of Botswana for the position.

The Minister of International Relations Dr Phenyo Butale indicated after the courtesy call that the executive of the AU Commission was on rotational basis, and that at the next summit, the chairmanship would move to North Africa region. “Three countries, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria have candidates for that position, so the Algerian team was here to lobby for our support,” he said.

Dr Butale indicated that Botswana had assessed all candidates and would therefore make an informed vote.

Botswana, was eligible for one of the commissioner position from the Southern Africa region, however, Dr Butale said it was unfortunate that the two candidates who availed themselves could not make the shortlist. ENDS