�Mma V� unsure of Khama�s next AU attendance
Tefo Pheage | Thursday August 4, 2016 18:00
The minister revealed in a press conference on Tuesday that President Khama has already sent out letters to the continental leaders informing them that Botswana’s candidate, Venson-Moitoi will still be available in the upcoming election, further appealing for their support.
Asked about whether Khama will be attending the next summit, Venson-Moitoi was non-committal, “I do not know, he may and he may not. It will depend on his schedule. I cannot speak for him,” she said in an interview.
A lot of criticism has been levelled against Khama, blaming him for giving Botswana’s enemies ammunition because he does not seem to be supporting the African agenda. Botswana has always moved swiftly to quash such reports saying Botswana remains committed to the AU agenda and has always been a participant and contributed to the African agenda.
Khama, who has previously opined that the summits are just talk shows, is faced with the mammoth challenge of whether to break away from his deeply-held views or attend the summit to canvass support for his candidate. In past elections, the country roped in the former president, Festus Mogae, as an internationally appealing figure for assistance. Mogae, it is understood, “did his work” but could not reach the climax.
Venson-Moitoi further said on Tuesday that the President is fully giving her support.
“I cannot divulge our comeback strategy as it will also be consumed by our competitors but we do have a comeback strategy in place,” she said. According to her, Botswana did well but was sabotaged by some countries at the 11th hour.
“ECOWAS promised us their votes and we tagged along as friends for some time, sure of their votes, only for them to enquire on how to press the abstain button at the last minute.
We were shocked, but they will be our top priority in our upcoming campaign and we will engage them going forward,” she said, further adding that a lot of those who abstained cited a lot of different reasons, some of which were unjustified.
Venson-Moitoi said she has learnt a lot about the elections and their campaigns. “There were a lot of things we should have been aware of, but it was all a learning curve for us and me personally. Any campaign as you may be aware has got its own dynamics and tricks. So we learnt a lot and we come back stronger than before,” she said.
Venson-Moitoi denied that South Africa did not support her.
“They were with us throughout so I don’t want to think they did what people say they might have done. Even the outgoing Chairperson, Dlamini-Zuma has expressed her wish to see a woman succeeding her”, she said.
SADC will be going to Swaziland soon to discuss among others, their candidacy and the just-ended elections, in a move that will also discuss the re-endorsement of Venson-Moitoi or another candidate.