Ephraim Keoreng
25 August 2008
Gaborone — Government will in future involve the private sector in shaping Botswana's foreign policy.
Speaking at the 17th Biennial heads of mission conference dinner in Gaborone, foreign affairs and international co-operation minister, Phandu Skelemani, said that his ministry is in the process of concluding the redrafting of a policy document geared towards including stakeholders, especially the private sector.
Both government and the private sector should get together and reshape Botswana's foreign policy to bring about desired political goodwill, economic prosperity and social development for Botswana citizens, he said.
"It is desirable that both at government and the private sector levels there should be collective ownership of Botswana's external engagements in as far as creating opportunities and wealth for our people is concerned. When our envoys have the opportunity to tell the world what Botswana has to offer, let us speak with a much stronger voice, informed by private sector goals in the international arena," he said.
He said that Botswana envoys should be so empowered to speak with a stronger voice, informed by private sector goals and aspirations, every time they speak to global partners and the world at large.
Skelemani also said Botswana is well known on the global plane and is a respected and credible player in the international arena. Botswana, according to Skelemani, continues to pride herself with the sustenance of her political ideals.
Botswana takes seriously such ideals as respect for international law and complying with treaties, ideals, which, he said, are impressed upon the minds of Botswana envoys to project on the international front.
"It follows, therefore, that even though our capacity to influence world events may still be limited, that should not be a reason for us to shy-away from adopting a consistent approach to world affairs, an approach, which is clear in our principles and consistent in their application," he said.
He told his audience that it is imperative that Botswana be forthright in advocating for issues like human rights, democracy, good governance, transparency, accountability, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. This is important, as Africa has been given a bad image for failing to advocate for these issues, something that continues to hamper socio-economic development of the sub-Saharan continent.
"As a government that is committed to uplifting the standard-of-living of its people, Botswana cannot at the same time promote relations with those who brutalise their fellow citizens. The matter is fair, simple and straight forward. We wish for others what we wish for ourselves," he said.
On the other hand, Skelemani said that to carry out his ministry's mandate they have to work in partnerships with global players like the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth, the African Union AU), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and others with the view to promoting peace, conflict management, promoting democratic values and human rights.
"On the part of government, we will do our best and continue to exhort our representatives abroad to promote our national interests of assisting with the foreign direct investment (FDI), promotion of trade and tourism, marketing of Botswana products and identifying opportunities for Botswana, including offers of training for youth to advance their learning skills," the minister said.
He said that Botswana has now established diplomatic relations with 130 countries globally. Unfortunately, because of limited resources, the country has a network of a mere 19 resident diplomatic missions, which gives Botswana minimal coverage. This setback, he said, is being addressed "so that in the near future more diplomatic missions are opened".
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