Mugabe blast CITES at Masire�s funeral
Staff Writer | Friday June 30, 2017 18:28
He said that he once visited the Okavango Delta with Sir Ketumile Masire and was surprised to see plenty of greenery, water and wildlife and wondered why the desert country was not using the blessing to improve the lives of Botswana people.
“The answer I got was that, there are some people somewhere, who say humans must not use that vegetation for mankind and that they should be used by wild animals. He was referring to an organisation called CITES.
I said to him, in the interest of humanity, this water can be useful to the development of Botswana. He said his government has tried to engage CITES but without success. I just cannot understand it,” Mugabe said.
He described Masire as a virtuous and humble man who was always willing to listen regardless of the seriousness and weight of the matter to be discussed.
He said he commanded respect and did not demand it. He said Masire’s death is a loss to Botswana and the Southern Africa region and the entire African continent, who served with valour and honour.
“It gave us both pride and confidence to work with him as a neighbour, colleague and friend. Sir Ketumile Masire’s resoluteness in fighting for the betterment of the lives of the people of Botswana will forever remain etched in our minds, and I’m sure in the mind of each and every Motswana,” Mugabe said.
He added that Masire’s fight for the economic development of Botswana bore fruit to this day.
He said the people of Zimbabwe would forever remember the role he played in the liberation struggle for their country from 1980 when he took over as President of Botswana and at a time when struggles in Namibia and South Africa were at their peak.
“President Masire would not be intimidated by the might of the apartheid army into submission, as Botswana continued to render its assistance to the liberation movements of those countries.
I have fond recollections of working closely with him in the formative stages of Southern African Development Coordination Conference, which gave rise to SADC. His dedication, energy and organisational ability were sources of inspiration to all of us,” Mugabe said.
He added that Masire contributed significantly to the successes enjoyed by SADC today because he fought for SADC headquarters to be built.
He said Masire continued to serve the African continent even after retirement in facilitating peace talks in the Great Lakes region.
He also played a crucial role in ending a war between Mozambique government and RENAMO rebels in 1992.
“We all remember his role as Chairman of the commission that was assigned to investigate the 1994 Rwanda genocide set up by the Organisation of the African Union and other assignments by SADC”. He said Masire did a wonderful job and was committed to achieving a peaceful and progressive Africa.