Botswana: The President of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, paid a one-day visit to Angola, on December 28, 2023. He was in the country at the invitation of the president of the Republic of Angola João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço. He is also the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The purpose of the visit was to meet and brief President Lourenço on the Government of Botswana’s position on the self-imposed exile of Former President Lt. Gen. Khama and some members of his family.
The two Presidents also discussed other critical bilateral issues, including the security situation in the region. They believe that the situation may derail regional integration efforts and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the sub-region.
At the meeting, President Lourenço informed President Masisi that he had been approached by former Presidents of Nigeria and South Africa on behalf of Former President Lt. Gen. Khama. He has asked the leaders to help pave the way to address issues around his self-imposed exile.
Meanwhile, the former President of Botswana also sought help to resolve his differences with President Masisi.
President Masisi briefed the Angolan President and Chairperson of SADC on the source of their differences. They spoke about past efforts to address the issues that were initiated by President Masisi.
These efforts included prominent Elders in the country, namely:
- Former President Festus G. Mogae,
- Former Vice President P.H.K. Kedikilwe,
- Former Speakers of the National Assembly Ray M. Molomo and Patrick Balopi, and
- Former Minister David Magang.
President Masisi informed his Angolan counterpart that these initiatives regrettably yielded no result.
President Lourenço thanked President Masisi for taking the time to come and meet with him and for the detailed brief he received. President Lourenço promised to engage further on the matter.
On the other hand, President Masisi thanked President Lourenço for the opportunity to brief him and exchange views on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. The leader expressed his willingness to engage further on these matters.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi was accompanied by Dr Lemogang Kwape, Dumezweni M. Mthimkhulu and senior Government officials.
