Gov�t adopts �wait and see� on Zim turmoil
Staff Writer | Thursday November 16, 2017 11:50
While government has in the past been quick to condemn international incidents it views negatively, by press time yesterday, no statement was forthcoming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Officials there said a statement would be issued in due course.
Botswana, particularly under President Ian Khama, has been the fiercest critic of Zimbabwe leader, President Robert Mugabe, accusing him of dictatorial tendencies and usurpation of democratic values.
“The silence from government could possibly be because while Khama as a former military commander absolutely abhors and condemns indiscipline and military rebellion, he has not been happy with Mugabe’s continued stay in power,” one analyst told Mmegi.
Yesterday evening, Khama’s private secretary, Brigadier George Tlhalerwa said government was tracking the situation in Zimbabwe and treating it very seriously.
“Senior government officials from different ministries met yesterday to map the way forward on how the crisis will affect the country and how to cushion its effects,” he said.
Foreign affairs minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said there was little Botswana could do at present, except monitor the situation. She dismissed reports that Botswana’s Embassy in Harare had been closed. Other sources, however, told Mmegi the embassy was closed on Tuesday with staff being asked to remain in their homes and in contact. “At this point, there isn’t much we can do or say unless there is an official call for such,” Venson-Moitoi said yesterday. She said government’s position is that Batswana should exercise caution when travelling to Zimbabwe or totally avoid going there.
Botswana’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Matshwenyego Fischer, by yesterday evening, was speeding back to Harare by road, after a brief return to Gaborone. Fisher told Mmegi he would only comment after being ‘seriously updated’ once he arrived in Harare. Meanwhile, Mmegi was unable to confirm reports from Department of Wildlife officials who alleged that tents were being diverted from all government departments in Francistown, to cater for an expected influx of refugees from Zimbabwe.
One official in the area said a request for tents had been turned down yesterday as all available material was being put together to provide for any refugees. The turmoil in Zimbabwe left Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson, Jacob Zuma stunned as he issued a statement saying the region would not recognise any unconstitutionally formed government in Zimbabwe.
“SADC will continue to closely monitor the situation and remains ready to assist where necessary to resolve the political impasse in keeping with established SADC protocols and processes,” he said.
Zuma spoke to Mugabe yesterday with the ageing leader reporting that he had been confined to his home but was ‘doing fine’. Any calls for military intervention would have to come through SADC’s organ on politics, defence and security, which can either move in without invitation or wait for Mugabe to ask for help.