Fight against greylisting quickens, as deadline looms
Monday, September 02, 2019
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the leading anti-money laundering agency founded by the world’s richest countries, greylisted Botswana last October citing institutional and structural deficiencies in the country’s anti-money laundering defences.
On the FATF’s recommendations, the European Union (EU) in February blacklisted Botswana and 22 other countries, citing the weak systems and saying it “had to make sure that dirty money from other countries does not find its way to our financial system”.
While his leadership has brought about significant progress and development, it is imperative that he exercises greater caution in his choice of words, particularly when addressing sensitive matters.One of the primary concerns is the potential impact of his remarks on Botswana’s relationship with De Beers, the diamond mining giant that plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy.The partnership between Botswana and De Beers has been mutually...