Batswana in riot ridden Kenya safe - Foreign Affairs

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Friday February 8, 2008 00:00

Head of the public relations, information and research department, Clifford Maribe says there are 55 Batswana living there and most of them comprise staff of the Botswana High Commission and their families, students and United Nations and Africa Union employees.

He said that the ministry has not received any reports that Batswana are directly affected by the political riots in Kenya in which over 1,000 people have been killed.

On how prepared government was on the evacuation of Batswana from the troubled country should the need arise, he said: 'Government has not been approached by anyone seeking assistance to come back to Botswana. But should it be necessary to carry out evacuation of Batswana from that country, that option will be explored'. He added that the ministry stands ready to provide consular support and assistance to any of our citizens who may need assistance to come back home.

However, Maribe said government remains optimistic about ongoing mediation efforts to bring peace between disputed President Mwai Kibaki, and his archrival, Raila Odinga, who accuses him of rigging the December 27 elections.

Meanwhile, there are no records of Batswana living in Chad where there is no Botswana diplomatic mission. Chad is the latest African country to be embroiled in political unrest this week when rebels attacked the capital city, N'd'jamena.