We are not blind followers � OP
Tefo Pheage | Thursday November 17, 2016 09:14
Trump was recently elected the 45th President of the US and will be inaugurated in January 2017.
African leaders, including from South Africa, Burundi, Tanzania, Gabon, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Uganda and Ghana have been quick to send their congratulatory messages to Trump.
However, Khama, who during the US election race took to social media expressing his reservations about a Trump presidency, is yet to issue his congratulations, which are the diplomatic norm, particularly with key economic, development and military partners. Yesterday, Khama’s private secretary, Brigadier George Tlhalerwa told Mmegi that Trump is not yet the President of the US.
“The international norm is that you congratulate somebody after they have taken office. So the President (Khama) is not in a rush. Trump is like a woman who has completed the lobola stage, but is still awaiting her wedding,” he said. Tlhalerwa stressed that Khama did not have a problem with Trump.
“You see our relations with the US do not depend on individuals. They are country-to-country and do not depend on Khama or Trump’s views.”
Asked whether he was aware that other African leaders had already sent their congratulatory messages, the private secretary said Botswana is not a “blind follower”.
“Where were they when we were the only country to speak against countries pulling out of the ICC (Internationl Criminal Court)? We were the only country to speak out,” he responded.
In sharp contrast, congratulatory messages poured into the US immediately after Trump’s victory from African and world leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among the first to send his felicitations followed by the Indian Prime Minister who used twitter to send his congratulations. In Africa, among the first was Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza. “Mr. Donald Trump, on behalf of the people of Burundi, we warmly congratulate you. Your Victory is the Victory of all Americans.” — Pierre Nkurunziza (pnkurunziza) November 9, 2016
Then followed Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama, who himself heads to the polls in December this year. ‘‘Congratulations President-elect Donald J. Trump,’‘ Mahama’s tweet read. The third African leader was Tanzania’s John Pombe Magufuli.
“Congratulations President-Elect Donald Trump and the People of America. Tanzanians and I assure you of continued friendship and cooperation. “ — Dr John Magufuli (@MagufuliJP) November 9, 2016
Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni posted his message to Trump on his official twitter handle. So did Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta while Hassan Sheikh of Somalia was also not left out.
“I congratulate Donald Trump upon his election as USA President. I look forward to working with him like I’ve done with his predecessors.” — Yoweri K Museveni (KagutaMuseveni) November 9, 2016 “I sent congratulations to the US President-elect, Donald J Trump for being elected as the 45th president of the United States.” — H.E. Hassan Sheikh (@HEhassansheikh) November 9, 2016
“Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulated Donald Trump on Wednesday on his victory in the US presidential election and said he hoped his election would unleash a new era of closer ties with Washington,” Reuters news agency also reported. The South Africa government issued an official statement in which President Jacob Zuma affirmed the country’s resolve to build stronger relations between the two countries.
“President Zuma conveyed his best wishes to the President-elect and looked forward to working with President-elect Trump to build on the strong relations that exists between the two countries.”
He underlined that “South Africa further looked forward to working closely with the new Administration in the US in promoting peace, security and prosperity around the world, especially on the African continent.”
“On behalf of the Gov’t and people of Nigeria, I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.” — Muhammadu Buhari (MBuhari) November 9, 2016