26 Feb 2018

The Government of the Republic of Botswana wishes to express her concern regarding the disturbing trend, whereby some political leaders refuse to relinquish power when their term of Office expires.

These leaders have now resorted to measures such as delaying holding of elections, or amending their national Constitutions to effectively extend their term of Office.

It is clear that such leaders are driven by self-interest, instead of those of the people they govern.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a case in point. We continue to witness a worsening humanitarian situation in that country mainly because its leader has persistently delayed the holding of elections, and has lost control over the security of his country.

Botswana therefore, urges the international community to put more pressure on the leadership in the Democratic Republic of Congo to relinquish power and pave way for the ushering-in of a new political dispensation. Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation