The Leader of Opposition, Duma Boko aptly described Botswana’s posture as “one of its many instances of thoughtless enthusiasm” in a statement to Parliament.
Unlike in the past or during the presidency of Messrs. Seretse Khama, Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae, contemporary foreign policy of Botswana is characterised by roof-top diplomacy, discrepancies, double standards and knee-jerk foreign policy decisions. During the Cold War (1945-1990) Botswana was able to be friends with both the West led by the US, and the East led by the USSR. A landlocked country, which was during its early years and right up to late 1980s or early 1990s sandwiched by warring parties, the country managed to survive because of its adept foreign policy and diplomacy. Most things in the past were discussed internally and through diplomatic channels as opposed to audaciously releasing of statements that have a potential to cause diplomatic spats.
