Africa-Press – Botswana. Julius Malema, head of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a radical and militant economic emancipation movement has expressed concern over the United States military footprint and forays in Botswana and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Malema, a well-known relentless firebrand willing to stand up for his beliefs even when they are not popular, indicated that the US military presence in Botswana was a big source of concern to South Africa.
In an almost three hour wide-ranging dialogue with editors and senior journalists in Sandton, South Africa, Malema touched on several key topics including domestic issues in South Africa, Khama’s arrest warrant and the alleged US military base in Botswana.
At the debate which was facilitated by Professor Onkgopotse JJ Tabane, the current host of eNCA’s Power to Truth and an adjunct professor at the University of South Africa, Malema stated that it is necessary to “dismantle that base” as it threatens the entire SADC region. Additionally, he said EFF’s position is that the “army base must be removed,” and the US facility is dangerous to South Africa because it has the ability to “flatten South Africa” in less than two minutes.
Malema claimed that while “he was charged by the African National Congress (ANC) for saying Botswana has got an American base and poses a threat to South Africa,” the African National Congress (ANC) secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, was not penalised for recently making a similar claim in June that Botswana was housing a U.S. military outpost.
However, Mbalula’s assertions were disputed by Joseph Kalimbwe, a pro-democracy activist and member of the United Party for National Development (UPND), which is led by Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema.
“The accusations by ANC SG, Fikile Mbalula on Botswana are undiplomatic to our SADC region. He accuses Botswana of housing America. The ANC chased Malema like a dog for talking about Botswana yet Fikile is insulting Botswana on live Television. Must watch his mouth!!!” said Kalimbwe in a tweet in June.
Even though the SADC has stated that they do not want a permanent US military post on the African continent, it apparently seems there is no standard and uniform procedure that member states in the regional bloc must adhere to when a foreign power requests to build a military post.
This publication asked SADC if there is a SADC policy that member states in the regional bloc must follow when a foreign power requests to construct a military facility in the regional bloc; and if SADC considers member states that host a foreign military post constitute a threat to the regional bloc. In a telephonic response to the inquiries, SADC requested this publication to engage with SADC member states.
Over the years, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has stated on multiple occasions that the Thebephatshwa Air Base belongs solely to the Government of Botswana and has refuted any suggestion that the post is a precursor or in any way tied to the United States military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM).
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