Kwape defends Masisi international trips
President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi's external trips are central to advancing Botswana’s interest, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Lemogang Kwape told the just ended sitting of parliament.
While some dismiss the President’s numerous external trips as a dent on the national fiscus, Dr. Kwape reckons that to the contrary, much benefits accrue to the country from the country’s Principal Diplomat’s forays.
The dividends are evident, Dr. Kwape insists, citing the increased rate at which Batswana are being placed in strategic leadership positions globally.
For example, two Botswana citizens were appointed to the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) for two years, and to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) for five years, respectively.
The President successfully campaigned for the candidature of Elias Magosi to assume the position of Executive Secretary of Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 2021; he also facilitated the election of Dr. Matshidiso Moeti for a second term as the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, the minister argued.
The President was behind the appointment of six young Batswana Interns to support the Botswana ECOSOC Presidency, 2021-2022; he succeeded in bidding for the position of Inspector of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) tenable in Geneva from 2023-2027.
Minister Kwape said the country continues to be elected in key international leadership positions such as the ECOSOC Presidency (2022 Session).
Botswana was elected to the Chair of the WTO Trade Policy Review, which presented an opportunity for two Batswana to be nominated for the WTO Internship programme, as well as Chair of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in 2023; and more recently to Member of the UNESCO Executive Board.
Mid this year, in June, Botswana received the Peace Award from the Belgium-based Women Political Leaders Organisation. The award was given to the country for being among the most peaceful in the world as indicated by the Global Peace Index.
'In the medium term, we are also seeing the President’s engagements contribute towards the building of business networks and a direct link facilitating FDI and other developmental needs.
“For example, in May this year, Botswana received 162 cattle of different breeds from the United States of America (USA) to help improve, among others, the genetic profile of local breeds.
“For Botswana farmers, this initiative is expected to help increase production and income levels, as well as facilitate and enhance food security. It will, no doubt, increase their income through value addition initiatives, innovation and patenting,' Dr. Kwape continued.
Kwape said Botswana also continues to be a recipient of development and technical assistance through among others, scholarship and training opportunities for Batswana availed by development partners.
He added that Botswana’s continued participation in the work of SADC and the AU continues to pay dividends.
More recently, Botswana was entrusted with a key leadership role when President Masisi was voted to the Second Vice-Chair of the Bureau of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
The country also signed onto the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and identified priority areas as part of the first set of value chain interventions. Among others, these include agriculture and agro processing, pharmaceuticals and services.
Dr. Kwape said that in essence, the President’s external engagements are central to advancing Botswana’s national interests on behalf of all ordinary Batswana.
He called for the adoption of President Masisi's initiative of mind-set change, especially the components of Boitshwaro, Dikakanyo and Maikutlo.