Masire who is the patron of the EISA was actively involved in the launch of the organisation’s Principles for Election Management Monitoring and Observation at the end of last year. The document formed the basis of EISA’s work as the organisation engaged in assessing elections throughout the region.
The former president has previously led similar missions to Nigeria and Mozambique in 1999.
Before proceeding to Malawi, Masire will be the guest of the Council of the University of South Africa (UNISA), which has decided to confer on him the degree D. Litt et Phil (Honoris Causa).
The Registrar of UNISA, when inviting Masire, stated that “the University Council has noted with great admiration your contribution to the development of your country, Botswana, and the southern African region. At the broader continental level, you have distinguished yourself in selflessly contributing to the ongoing efforts at resolving the conflict in the Great Lakes Region. The University of South Africa is exceedingly proud to honour you for these achievements”.
Meanwhile Masire was among the eight former heads of state that attended the recently concluded African Presidential Roundtable held in London and Boston from April 23-29. Under the general theme, Capital Flows to Africa, the Roundtable featured a number of presentations on a variety of topics of interest to the continent.
Of particular interest to former heads of state and government were the AGOA Acceleration Act that was presented by Congressman Richard E.Neal, and the report on the Commission on Capital to Africa - update, by the Commission Chairman, James Harmon.
Masire indicated that, “as former heads of state, we felt that it was important to participate in these discussion for a number of reasons. Africa has been excluded for too long in terms of having access to its fair place in the global economy. On the other hand, Africa has never been more primed to take its place in the global economy”.
He added that the countries they were privileged to serve as heads of state are serious about democratisation and free market reform. He noted that the development of NEPAD, which is built on the twin pillars of good governance and sound economic policies, as well as the African Union, which reflects the same sentiments, are clear indications that Africans deserve more than they get in terms of capital flows.
