GABORONE President Ian Khama of Botswana He said Botswana wants the visa and financial measures lifted to help provide a conducive climate for the global political agreement (GPA) to succeed and because Zanu (PF) chooses to use the sanctions as an excuse not to fully deliver within the process they are a part of.
Khama told Botswanas Parliament in his state of the nation address that his calls for lifting of the measures was so that: all parties internal and external to help provide a conducive climate for the GPA to succeed and secondly because Zanu (PF) chooses to use the sanctions issue as an excuse for them not to fully deliver within the process they are part of. This lame excuse should be put to the test
He said that contrary to media reports, his country has not changed its position on Zimbabwe. Botswana has been one of the most vocal critics of President Robert Mugabe and
Khama said his governments call for the lifting of the punitive measures against Mugabe, his top associates and companies linked to them was in consonance with the current regional position taken at the last two Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) summits.
The Botswana leader said for reconciliation in Zimbabwe to be successful and lead to the holding of credible elections, it was pertinent that there is effective monitoring of the process every step of the way.
He said the Botswana government is concerned about ongoing developments that can easily lead to a further deterioration of the situation in Zimbabwe, resulting in the collapse of the GPA.
Post published in: News