16 Mar 2014

Parliament has approved Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) budget estimates of P447 645 090 for recurrent budget and P11million for development budget for the financial year 2014/15.

Responding to MPs comments, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Phandu Skelemani said with the limited budget, the ministry would do its best to promote and defend Botswana’s national interests.

Regarding Batswana who die outside the country, Minister Skelemani said corpses were ferried into the country by their family members, except in the case where the family was unable to do so.

Prior to the approval of the budget, Member of Parliament for Tati West, Mr Charles Tibone applauded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the good job they are doing in promoting and marketing the country abroad.

Mr Tibone said the ministry should re-double its effort in promoting the country with the little budget available due to the recession.

He said the ministry should consider seeking resources elsewhere to do this promotion at the various embassies.

Contributing to the debate, MP for Kweneng South, Dr John Seakgosing said Botswana, just like other countries should aspire to have its citizens working for international organisations.

He noted that the ministry could help in this regard and lobby other countries in international forums to help put locals in organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dr Seakgosing said working for such organisations should not be about money but raising the country’s flag high so that it could be counted amongst others.

He further stressed that diplomatic relations should not be based on economic matters only, but should be used to strengthen bilateral relations.

Dr Seakgosing further said he wanted to see missions of other countries having their base in Botswana, unlike the current scenario where they fly in from other countries.

MP for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu said the foreign service staff should be applauded for being away from home working for the good of the country.

He said the foreign service allowance should be reviewed and further applauded the professionalism displayed by the staff, noting that they are never implicated on any illegal dealings like some countries’ diplomats.

MP for Selibe Phikwe West, Mr Gilson Saleshando noted that as much as the country is involved in promotion of human rights in the international arena, it should take stock at home as there are as some local languages which are not advocated for.

He said smaller tribes too want to have dignity and cannot enjoy that if their language rights are not recognised.

Mr Saleshando suggested that in areas such as Ghanzi, a typical school would have about 80 per cent of students who are non-Tswana speaking’, yet they are taught in the language.

He emphasised that no tribe should allow its cultural identity and language to disappear.

MP for Lobatse, Mr Nehemiah Modubule said the minister should investigate a case in which some US embassy employees cannot sue the mission for unfair dismissal.

He further said the country does not have a policy on repatriating bodies of its citizens who die abroad and the burden was often left with the family to repatriate and bury their loved ones.

Mr Modubule noted that some ambassadors and high commissioners spend many years in one place and should be moved around so that their expertise and experience could be utilised in other missions.

He called for the ratification of conventions on social, cultural and diplomatic rights, wondering what could be delaying the country to do such as the move would give every tribe an opportunity to enjoy and exercise these rights. ENDS