04 Aug 2025

Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale has affirmed government’s support for Botswana’s candidate for the position of Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) director general, Ambassador Mmasekgoa Masire Mwamba.

Presenting Ms Masire-Mwamba’s candidacy to Heads of Diplomatic missions in Botswana in Gaborone yesterday, Dr Butale Botswana’s interest in the OPCW position, underscored the country’s commitment to peace and promotion of dialogue, divergent views and peaceful resolution of disputes.

“It is our firm belief that these values and ethos are quite important in today’s world, which is characterised by geopolitical tensions and mistrust,” Dr Butale said.

If elected to this position, Dr Butale said Botswana would make a significant contribution to disarmament by raising the voice of small states and the global south in the global discourse on disarmament matters.

“As a responsible global actor, Botswana is committed to playing a greater role in global chemical disarmament, hence our decision to field Ambassador Masire-Mwamba for this position, given her wealth of experience and visionary leadership,” he said.

He said as a state party to the chemical weapons convention, Botswana had demonstrated its longstanding commitment to global disarmament, chemical security, non-proliferation and international cooperation.

“Through the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Weapons Management Authority and the Permanent Representative, Botswana consistently participates in OPCW initiatives and has demonstrated leadership in the regional and continental programmes, thereby ensuring adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention,” he said.

Furthermore, Dr Butale cited Botswana’s continuing efforts to explore opportunities for bilateral and multilateral collaboration and peer exchanges to enhance non-proliferation efforts, strengthening border security and harmonisation of regulatory activities in order to respond to the challenges of proliferation of chemical weapons.

For his part, Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa said Botswana’s candidacy was also endorsed by both SADC and the African Union.

He said the candidacy reflected Botswana’s strong commitment to international peace, disarmament and multilateral cooperation.

In her remarks, Ms Masire-Mwamba, who is currently Botswana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, described herself as a seasoned diplomat and accomplished leader, bringing more than three decades of experience across diplomacy, law, science and development.

She said her track record was built on integrity and results in alignment with the core mission of the OPCW.

As the implementing body for the chemical weapons convention, the OPCW, with its 193 member states, oversees the global endeavour to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons and if elected, Ms Masire-Mwamba will be the first African and the first woman to serve as director general, marking a powerful step toward greater diversity in international leadership. ENDS