US sees enduring value in Botswana relationship :: Mmegi Online

US Ambassador to Botswana, Howard Van Vranken, speaks to Mmegi Staff Writers, MBONGENI MGUNI & PAULINE DIKUELO, on shared values, critical minerals and the health deal recently agreed between the two countries Mmegi: Kindly share on the state of Botswana/US relations, given the dynamic nature of global geopolitics? Van Vranken: Yeah, I would characterize our relationship with Botswana as very strong.

It's enduring and I think that I would attribute the fact that it's a strong, enduring relationship to the fact that it's built on shared values. You know, the United States is the oldest democracy in the world and Botswana is the oldest multi-party democracy in Africa.

Despite the fact that we are vastly different in many ways, we share some common attributes and values. We both believe in the rule of law. We believe that the people should be governed by elected governments and we share a heritage where we were both at one point ruled by the British.

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