Botswana�s bad showing on the international scene

Tefo Pheage | Friday December 23, 2016 13:02

 

Sour relations: Khama took Mugabe to task again this year

Mogae brokers peace in South Sudan

After being selected by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) for South Sudan in 2015, former Botswana president, Festus Mogae began his duties in 2016 where he has so far covered a lot of ground. But a year on, Mogae has very little to show for his struggles owing to the South Sudanese leaders’ reluctance to cease-fire.

 

Khama calls Mugabe to step down

As Botswana was on the verge of celebrating the 50th anniversary of self-rule, President Ian Khama once again broke the diplomatic rule, by calling on the aged and long-term Zimbabwean ruler, Robert Mugabe to step down. The call made international headlines and excited the western countries, most of who have long been calling for Mugabe’s head.

 

Venson-Moitoi nominated for AU

On a positive note, President Khama nominated the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi to replace the outgoing African Union Commission chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. While she came tops against two other contenders in July, Venson-Moitoi failed to get the required two-thirds majority, so a re-run was called, and will be held next month, in January in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

 

Botswana attacks countries leaving the ICC

In this year, most African countries expressed their discontent with the International Criminal Court, saying it exists to prosecute African leaders only. Most are in the process of leaving the Hague-based court, a move that Botswana continues to criticise to date.

 

Khama trips on Trump

Like the rest of the world, President Khama appears to have been among the people who never gave the American president-elect, Donald Trump a chance. Before the American presidential elections, Khama in his social media accounts made unsavoury remarks against Trump, something which international relations experts say was reckless and ill-informed. In fact, while world leaders immediately congratulated Trump on winning, Khama refused to do so.

 

Refugees take Gov’t to court

It was in 2016 that Namibian and Eritrean refugees took the government to court protesting the treatment directed to them by the host-government of Botswana. The move also bred a brief and covert clash between the governments of Botswana and Namibia. The courts blocked the government of Botswana’s intentions to forcibly eject the Namibians.