05 Jun 2024

Botswana wants Africa to speak with one voice in presenting a candidate for the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, and Mr Joshua Setipa of Lesotho should be afforded that opportunity.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said this during bilateral talks with Lesotho Prime Minister, Mr Sam Matekane, on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul, Korea.

Lesotho has nominated its former cabinet minister and seasoned diplomat Mr Setipa to contest the position of Commonwealth Secretary General as the term of the incumbent Baroness Patricia Scotland nears an end.

President Masisi said it was important for the African continent to speak with cohesion in delivering a solid leader to the organisation of 53 states, including the United Kingdom and mostly former British colonies in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Pacific as well as Canada in North America.

“It is Africa’s turn, and the continent has got to agree on a single candidate. You enjoy our support, tell Mr Setipa not to come to Botswana to campaign, Botswana will go to the world to campaign for him. We will use our experience in campaigning for positions of this nature,” Dr Masisi said. He further said the bonds of friendship between Lesotho and Botswana were solid and asked the Prime Minister, the Lesotho head of government, to convey warm regards to his head of state, King Letsie III.

Speaking to BOPA after the meeting, Prime Minister Matekane said he was pleased to be assured of Botswana backing. 

“We spoke about our candidate for the upcoming position at the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October in Samoa, and we urge African countries to join us in this regard,” Mr Matekane said. He added that the two countries hoped to use the Korea-Africa Summit to attract investment and development partnerships in order to improve the livelihoods of their respective peoples. ends