Africa-Press – Botswana. Yesterday, President Advocate Duma Boko welcomed Dr. Albert Kwokwo Barume, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, at the Office of the President. The meeting was a courtesy call that highlighted Botswana’s commitment to advancing the rights of indigenous communities.
President Boko praised Dr. Barume’s work at both regional and global levels, emphasizing the importance of his expertise in promoting indigenous rights. He reflected on Botswana’s history with the Basarwa (San) people, particularly in relation to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The President discussed past constitutional protections, landmark court rulings, and ongoing challenges faced by the Basarwa around land, water access, hunting, and cultural recognition.
He highlighted his own involvement in critical human rights cases, including the Roy Sesana and Matshidiso Mmatshame matters. President Boko acknowledged both the legal advances and gaps that have shaped Botswana’s jurisprudence on indigenous rights. He noted that courts have repeatedly affirmed fundamental rights for the Basarwa, including access to ancestral land and water, and stressed the importance of confronting past shortcomings with honesty.
President Boko reaffirmed his government’s dedication to human rights, focusing on indigenous communities that face disproportionate inequalities. He referenced his long-standing advocacy for indigenous rights through legal practice, academic work, and political leadership. Earlier this year, in February, he appointed an inter-ministerial committee to assess indigenous issues and recommend policy interventions.
Addressing Dr. Barume directly, President Boko said, “Your visit is timely. Your expertise as a human rights lawyer and thinker will enrich our reflections and strengthen the policy pathways we are now exploring. Welcome to Botswana, from a kindred spirit in the struggle for human rights.”
The meeting underscores Botswana’s ongoing engagement with international human rights standards and its effort to strengthen protections for indigenous communities through informed policy and judicial action.
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