Africa-Press – Botswana. The decision to accept Burundi into the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) rests with the leadership of the bloc.
Receiving letters of credence from Burundi’s incoming envoy, Mr Alexia Bukuru yesterday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said he was aware that the country had applied to rejoin the bloc.
Noting Burundi’s appeal to Botswana to back its application for readmission into SADC, President Masisi said Botswana on its own would not determine the verdict of such an application as it was the reserve of the regional bloc.
He said Burundi was not only a fraternal partner in Africa but was equally, as it was the case with Botswana, striving towards bettering the development of its people through peaceful means and therefore, as the two nations moved forward as bilateral and development partners, they must emphasise on exchanging views and opinions aimed at developing their economies.
Dr Masisi said Botswana was a welcoming country with an open society and urged Mr Bukuru to use his tenure to broaden and deepen the two nations’ relations. “We are brothers and we look forward to making you the most successful ambassador,” said President Masisi, adding that Burundi like other Africa countries had been instrumental in restoring peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In February 2017, Burundi submitted an application to rejoin SADC, which was rejected on the grounds that the applicant failed to meet admission requirements as a result of unsolved democratic processes.
The ambassador designate expressed Burundi’s eagerness to rejoin the SADC bloc saying the country was doing all in its power to restore peace and tranquility and had instigated a commission to boost the chances of its return to SADC.
Mr Bukuru appreciated Botswana’s efforts towards supporting Burundi’s recovery process. “In a few months, we will send a special envoy to reiterate that the ideal to rejoin SADC is still there. Peace is now a reality in Burundi. The country is able to host high profile summits,” said Mr Bukuru.
He said the two countries must work on growing bilateral relations and other general agreements that would hype and trigger shared benefits.
He acknowledged Botswana as a hub in livestock vaccines that Burundi’s growing agricultural sector could benefit from.
“I will explore more possible opportunities to strengthen our bilateral relations. Burundi is asking for your support on matters relating to the international fora,” said Mr Bukuru.
Meanwhile, receiving an envoy from Austria, Ms Romana Koningsbrun, President Masisi spoke of the excellent relations the two nations shared as confirmed by among others, Austria’s support to Botswana in getting the position of Kimberly Secretariat.
Dr Masisi said Ms Koningsbrun’s appointment would not only cement the relations but would also strengthen them. He said Botswana was still concerned about harnessing and nurturing its democratic principles though confident that Ms Koningsbrun would enhance the bilateral relations of the two countries, which he said must continue to gain strength with mutual benefits.
Concurring with Dr Masisi that the two nations enjoyed excellent relations, Ms Koningsbrun said Botswana was a reliable partner with a strong democratic stance and among key SADC countries that Austria was working with.
Botswana, she said, was well known for its pursuit of developing the agricultural sector as well as tourism and a good example of how the tourism sector could be grown.
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