Fighter jets deal dents Sweden�s image
Chakalisa Dube | Friday June 23, 2017 15:50
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa noted this yesterday, echoing the sentiment of researchers at a Swedish University early this year. Sweden is a country that has often been associated with championing development issues through global collaborations. However, some critics argue that under the current regime Sweden’s status as a progressive country is waning.
“We know Sweden as a development-oriented. In fact all Scandinavian countries by culture are known to be very progressive nations. We will be shocked if the government of Sweden approves the sale of the Gripen jets. It will confirm that Sweden, under the current regime, is not progressive,” Mohwasa said yesterday.
The Botswana government announcement that it would acquire the Gripen jets from the Swedish state-owned company, SAAB has attracted dissenting views from the opposition parties and some Batswana.
Critics opine that Botswana does not need the jets in the wake of severe unemployment and poverty. On the other hand, the government maintains that it needs the jets so that it is not caught off-guard should a threat arise.
Highly regarded organisations such as the Institute for Security Studies have averred that Botswana does not need the Gripen jets.
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president, Dumelang Saleshando believes Sweden’s status as a country that is people-centred is becoming increasingly questionable.
“It appears as if the Sweden of today is not the Sweden which we used to collaborate with on various development issues such as rural development. The country has developed an appetite for engaging in dubious military deals. In Khama they have found a soul partner,” he said. Saleshando added that,
“We still believe that there are some within the Swedish community who still subscribe to old values. We will continue to engage them with the hope that they will mount pressure on their government to stop the sale of the Gripen jets amongst others”.
In March this year, researchers in Sweden concluded that the arms deal with Botswana contradicted Sweden’s goal of combating poverty, as Botswana is facing major economic problems.
Peace researchers from Uppsala University condemned SAAB’s campaign in Botswana, saying the move was in direct conflict with Sweden’s foreign policy goals. The goals are peace, human rights and poverty reduction.
“The billions to be invested in fighter jets would undermine efforts to curb unemployment and fight drought as well as corruption,” the Swedish researchers said, concluding that the arms deal with Botswana would worsen the economic and democratic development in the country, undermine regional security and soil Sweden’s reputation in SADC.
Recently, UDC president, Duma Boko also petitioned the Swedish government urging the latter to block the sale of the jets to Botswana. Boko argued that the money budgeted for the jets should be diverted to other urgent priorities such as unemployment and poverty, which are spiraling out of control. Botswana is said to be at an advanced stage to purchase between eight and 12 Gripen jets, which will costs around P15 billon.
During President Ian Khama’s visit to Sweden this week, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lovren appeared to suggest that he would not act on the petition from the Leader of Opposition.