Khama doubles-down on Beijing attacks

In recent months, China and Gaborone have exchanged veiled, direct attacks and counter-attacks, as the Oriental giant has accused Botswana of violating a policy in which China views the Dalai Lama’s activities as secessionist. Botswana has, however, argued that the invitation to the Dalai Lama was made by a private organisation and is in line with the country’s sovereign right to open its doors to whomever it wishes.

The Dalai Lama withdrew from his planned visit on Saturday citing exhaustion, in a move that broke the impasse between the two countries. The spiritual leader had been due to attend a conference on Botho. Yesterday at the conference, however, Khama could not resist taking pot shots at China over the issue. “I’m sure you are all as disappointed as I am that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was at the last minute unable to travel to be here in the interests of his health and wellness.