For Botswana, Obama’s eight years as President continued and strengthened the warm relations both countries have traditionally enjoyed, held together by the shared values of democracy and sound governance. Who can forget in November 2009 when Obama, speaking to President Ian Khama in Washington, praised the “strong partnership and friendship” with Botswana, noting the country’s successes over the years? Who can forget that Obama, in his last address to the United Nations General Assembly, took time to single out Botswana as a country symbolic of good governance and development transformation in the world?
Botswana has long enjoyed economic, trade, military and aid relations with the US and for the developed country, Botswana represents a dependable strategic ally in a region of vacillating leaders. The US is the biggest consumer of Botswana’s economic mainstay, diamonds, and a key source of technical and financial support for various development and aid programmes.
