11 Jul 2024

Botswana expressed its appreciation for the unwavering support and partnership provided by the United States of America (USA). 

Speaking at the USA 248^th Independence anniversary, in Gaborone on Tuesday, on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Anna Mokgethi, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, highlighted the strong bond between the two nations based on shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

She emphasised the importance of respect in the 58-year relationship, and  underscored the mutual respect between the countries for each other, the rule of law, global norms, and institutions. 

She acknowledged the USA for not extending assistance to Botswana only, but also to the SADC region and the African continent as a whole. 

She therefore said Botswana was committed to continue to work closely with the USA in efforts to further strengthen the partnerships and cooperation between the two countries. 

For his part, the USA Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Howard van Vranken, reiterated that the two nations were like brothers and sisters, ‘born of our peoples’ commitment to government for the benefit of the people and governed by the rule of law, respecting rights and honouring commitments.’

 Mr van Vranken assured that the United States cherishes its relationship with Botswana, and would continue to safeguard it, nurture it and find ways for it to thrive. 

He said over the years, the USA has worked with Botswana over important programmes that impacted people all over the world, which makes the world a safer place. 

Among them, he highlighted that Botswana was within reach of winning the HIV/AIDS as a public health threat, commending the heroic efforts of both nations’ public health workers that have turned the epidemic around. 

He assured continued partnership going forward. 

He hinted that in a few months Botswana would receive about 10, 000 donated doses of injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a game changer that would protect people for up to six months with a single shot, in an effort to vanquish the scourge. 

Mr van Vranken further said they continue to see a number of educational and professional exchanges between the countries grow, “as we bring Americans to Botswana and send Botswana students and visitors on exchanges to the United States.” 

“We will welcome 17 new Peace Corps volunteers later this week who will work closely with Botswana colleagues in health programming nationwide,” said van Vranken. 

Furthermore, he said the USA have stood with Botswana, as Botswana moves to exploit its astounding potential for renewable energy, through the rooftop solar programme, adding that they helped spur investment and added more than 10 megawatts of generation capacity. 

He pointed out that Botswana can be a world leader in that field, and probably provide all of southern Africa with cheap, reliable, clean power, adding that US stands to support that vision. 

He also said they have stood with Botswana, as the largest market for Botswana’s diamonds, the US understands the need to make sure market access for conflict free stones remains unhindered.

Mr van Vranken assured that they would continue to work closely to assure that mutual interests were safeguarded and all Batswana continue to benefit. Ends