24 Sep 2024

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has been appointed champion of Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). He was appointed Monday by the Troika meeting of the OACPS heads of state and government that took place on the fringes of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, currently held in New York, United States.

President Masisi currently holds the position of the Chairperson of the Landlocked Developing Countries and his appointment adds to Botswana's many hats. The OACPS evolved from the ACP group founded via the 1975 Georgetown agreement. It comprises 79 African states, including Botswana, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

The primary objective of the OACPS revolves around the sustainable development of its members and their gradual integration into the global economy to fight abject poverty amongst member states.

Earlier, the secretary general of the organisation, Mr Georges Chikoti, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola, updated delegates about the dire financial quagmire that was making it difficult for the organisation to conduct its business optimally.

Thus, he called on member states to honour their financial obligations and help the cash-strapped organisation regain footing. As part of the strategy to reduce budgetary constraints, Mr Chikoti relayed that the secretariat was undergoing structural reforms and decided to look for a reputable individual at the level of the presidency from among member states to help prop up support and assist the organisation in recuperating.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Masisi expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon him and the people of Botswana by being given an honorous duty to an organisation that the country believed in.

“It is my pleasure and honour on behalf of Botswana as a member state and on behalf of other member states to raise my hand and accept the nomination and expectation to serve. I will do that to the best of my ability,” he said, nodding to the appointment.

In an interview after his appointment, President Masisi said the OACPS remained an important strategic partner for Botswana as it encouraged member states’ economic freedom and independence.

“Ke lekgotla le le lekang go re apola boikaego ka mafatshe a a neng a re okame gore re ikemele re fokotse go kopa mme re babalele itsholelo le boipuso ja rona,” he said buttressing the importance of forging partnerships with organisations  such as OACPS. ENDS