Khama proposes Moitoi for AU Commission
Tefo Pheage | Friday April 1, 2016 10:13
Ministers of foreign affairs of the SADC countries met in Gaborone last month and endorsed Venson-Moitoi as the southern African region candidate for the position of the Chairperson of the AU Commission.
Three candidates from South Africa, Malawi and Botswana were initially in the race but after deliberations, Venson-Moitoi received the nod.
Venson-Moitoi was born in 1951 and attained a master of science degree in administration from the University of Central Michigan in the United States in 1987.
Although a hard worker of note, Venson-Moitoi is still new to international relations. However, her experience in politics sets her at an advantage. She has been the deputy secretary-general of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from 1999 to 2003 and was elected to Parliament in 2004. Before her current foreign affairs assignment, her other ministerial posts included communications, science and technology; works and transport, trade, Industry, Wildlife and Tourism; and Education.
In an interview, Venson-Moitoi confirmed that President Khama nominated her and SADC endorsed her. She said she would answer other questions after briefing her constituents.
Venson-Moitoi might battle it out with Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, who has previously served two terms as a plain AU commissioner. His eligibility is however reported to be in question but that will be determined in due course.
Khama and SADC are said to be banking on Botswana’s good regional and international reputation. Despite this, Botswana’s attitude towards the African Union has been wanting as the president hardly attends its meetings. Some African leaders might consider Botswana to have been undermining them by its non-attendance and waking up the next day to seek their support.
President Khama has also been a fierce and uncompromising critic of his fellow African leaders, a habit that has provoked mixed feelings across Africa. Pundits say the move by Botswana is a welcome one owing to the country’s role-model status to regional states. They say that the decision by President Khama to nominate Venson-Moitoi is part of Botswana’s determination to develop a programme for contributing to the continent’s advancement. The country believes that it can make a meaningful change in the continent’s political, economic and social landscape.
Government spokesperson, Jeff Ramsay declined to field questions from Mmegi saying he will release a statement on the matter.
It is understood that Botswana aims to make changes on the policy front, and proffer political and economic solutions to both SADC and AU. All these however, will be made with the consent and input of the leaders as the union decisions are made by consensus.