French, British, German embassies to commemorate World War 1
Staff Writer | Monday May 12, 2014 14:51
The celebration of World War I, with special dedication to Africa’s role in the war, was staged on Thursday night at the University of Botswana arena, as the European Commission celebrated the annual Europe Day by paying tribute to World War I. “ Europe was at the very core of both these terrible conflicts (World War I and World War II), that which laid waste to the continent in the space of a generation”, said head of delegation of the European Union to Botswana & SADC, ambassador Gerard McGovern.
Ambassador McGovern said the EU was a Union born out of war, out of the necessity to prevent further bloodshed, and that it was fitting that they gather on the night to remember what he described as, “undesirable part of our past”. McGovern however, said the World War I would shape their world like no other conflict did before. He noted that it has been 100 years since that war and stressed the importance of safeguarding peace and prosperity, adding that the period of peace in the world should not cause people to start taking it for granted.
McGovern noted that there remain some threats to peace today, to the south or eastwards in Europe’s own neighbourhood. McGovern said the EU has global responsibilities, and everyday take up the challenges to peace and development beyond their borders whether those challenges are climatec change, energy security, pandemics or human rights violations. The ambassador added that they work together with the AU, SADC and its secretariat in Gaborone, and Botswana. Meanwhile historian and Government spokesman Dr Jeff Ramsay made a presentation on the evening showing how Africa participated in the world war.
Using slides presentations, Ramsay said World War I was fought mostly on African soils, in the southern African region, East Africa, and North Africa.