Botswana�s position on latest developments threatening international peace and security
Correspondent | Thursday January 28, 2016 16:03
Terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be tolerated. Botswana is equally concerned about the protracted political conflicts, as well as the flagrant violation of the principle of Constitutional supremacy, which underpin democratic ideals and values of any progressive state or nation.
Undoubtedly, these acts, which regrettably often occur on the African Continent, are a threat to continental efforts aimed at consolidating peace, security and stability. In this regard, Botswana has adopted the position enunciated below, with respect to the latest developments in Burundi; Burkina Faso; the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and South Sudan:
Terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso
Botswana joins the international community in condemning, in the strongest terms, the recent terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, which claimed the lives of several people and left scores of others injured.
Botswana reaffirms the critical need for continued international cooperation and commitment in the fight against terrorism and stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Burkina Faso as well as the West Africa region, following the recent tragedy. 2.0
Nuclear test by North Korea
Botswana is deeply concerned by the recent nuclear test (allegedly a hydrogen bomb test), which was conducted by North Korea, on 6 January 2016.
Botswana strongly condemns the provocative and destabilising act by North Korea, which is a flagrant violation of the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and threatens international peace and security.
It also sets a dangerous precedent for other countries. Botswana joins the international community in calling upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fulfill her obligations under the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear and ballistic missile programs. We further call upon members of the international community who have the capacity, to take stringent measures, including additional sanctions by the UN Security Council, to make the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea face the consequences of its continued destabilising acts.
Botswana’s position on Burundi
Botswana remains deeply concerned by the deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation including, allegations of human rights violations in Burundi.
Botswana joins the international community in urging the Government of Burundi and all political parties to exercise maximum restraint and cease hostilities with immediate effect to avoid any further corrosion of the prevailing situation. Botswana further encourages the Government of Burundi to do all in its power to uphold its primary responsibility to protect civilians and key population groups, as well as, work with all stakeholders towards re-establishing confidence building measures and consolidate peace and security in that country.
Botswana urges all stakeholders in Burundi, with the support of the international community, to engage and remain fully committed to an inclusive dialogue to address all issues of contention, geared towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Botswana supports the ongoing engagement with Burundi by the African Union and the United Nations, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the current security challenges, including through the deployment of a preventative force by the African Union, in order to pacify the situation and prevent further deterioration of the security situation. Botswana remains hopeful that the perpetrators of the alleged human rights abuses, torture and extrajudicial killings will be subjected to independent investigation and prosecution.
Botswana’s position on South Sudan
Botswana has been following with keen interest, the evolving situation in South Sudan. Botswana welcomes the signing of the Compromise Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, in October 2015, thus creating a new window of opportunity for lasting peace and security.
Botswana also welcomes the transitional arrangement, which provides for the sharing of state power amongst all the concerned parties involved in the political conflict.
It is our hope that the launching of the Government of National Unity, at the end of January 2016, will bring about the envisaged lasting peace, stability and security in South Sudan. Botswana joins the international community in urging the concerned parties in South Sudan to abide by the commitments they have made under the Peace Agreement, including a permanent ceasefire.
As South Sudan takes these critical steps towards the consolidation of peace and stability, Botswana welcomes the tireless efforts of the Chair of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other leaders in the region, as well as the member countries of the AU High Level ad-hoc Committee on South Sudan and the international partners, in support of the peace process in South Sudan. Finally, the Government of Botswana welcomes the establishment of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), which is chaired by His Excellency, the former President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr. Festus Mogae.
The JMEC is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the Peace Agreement over a 30-month transitional period, to be followed by elections in 2018.