* Botswana
The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai has been in Botswana following his emergency departure from his country allegedly as a result of threats to his life. He met with President Ian Khama who then called for a meeting of regional leaders to discuss the Zimbabwe issue. Khama is in his second week as president but this did not prevent him from calling for the meeting. His Zambian counterpart and SADC chairman Levy Mwanawasa heeded the call. Khama's approach seems a far cry from the quiet diplomacy of his predecessor Festus Mogae.
There seems to be a new era in Botswana's foreign policy regarding Zimbabwe. The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phandu Skelemani has been more direct when speaking on the Zimbabwe issue unlike his predecessor Mompati Merafhe. It is not clear who is responsible for this between Khama and Skelemani. However, it is evident Skelemani explained the government's position on Zimbabwe without engaging equivocation. It may not be a change in position but it is definitely a change in how government speaks about the crisis. In the last half-decade, the government has been careful not to make direct comments on the events taking place in Zimbabwe.
