We support Venson-Moitoi for AU chairpersonship
Mmegi Editor | Thursday January 19, 2017 11:58
This was after the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SADC region met in Gaborone in February 2016 and endorsed Venson-Moitoi as the Southern African region candidate for the position. Last July, she failed to secure enough votes for a clear win in Kigali, Rwanda hence the second run of votes end of this month. Venson-Moitoi only managed 23 of the required 36 votes for a clear win, with 28 countries abstaining.
We believe Venson-Moitoi is the right candidate for the position. In this sea of madness called Africa, Botswana still remains a peaceful island. Despite its often ‘roof-top’ diplomacy, Botswana does not shy away from voicing its opinion in the house full of dictators and warmongers from across the African continent. Although Botswana is far from being perfect, as no country is perfect, it can shine the light on the rest of the continent.
This landlocked country remains a beacon of hope in this continent plagued by endless wars, hunger, diseases and backwardness. Africa has few role models and Botswana is rightly one of them. Botswana has the credentials and a capable candidate to reform this wonderful continent. Now is the time for the country to serve Africa as the chairperson of the AU.
We cannot bury our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich and allow countries and well-known rogues to lead beautiful Africans. Now it is the time for Botswana to show the whole world that Africa will rise and the future belongs to Africa. Now it is the time to say no to senseless killings, wars and terrorism on African soil.
Like the outgoing American President Barack Obama once said that Africa does not need strongmen but strong institutions we believe that Venson-Moitoi has the credentials and the will to manage and lead Africa to the Promised Land. We applaud President Ian Khama and the SADC region for the nomination of Venson-Moitoi. There is no other better candidate in the race than Venson-Moitoi.
She has served as Botswana’s rep to the AU and UN charged with the responsibility to articulate and protect Botswana’s foreign policy positions, goals and achievements. She is celebrated for outstanding work in government and governance issues over her illustrative career in the NGOs, the media and civil service. Some of her notable works include “restructuring of the former Institute of Town Clerks and establishment of the Institute for Municipal Management for South Africa”; “Decentralisation and Governance (restructuring consultancy) – Ministry of Local Government and Lands – The Gambia, UN Development Project”; and “Project to analyse the constitutions of 34 African countries to conduct a comparison on the role of traditional leaders” in modern democracies.
Mmegi urges fellow peace loving African countries to rally behind Venson-Moitoi. And lastly we urge Khama to attend the summit to vote for Venson-Moitoi.
Today’s thought
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
- John C. Maxwell