What they said about the deal :: Mmegi Online

The earliest remarks about a new De Beers, government deal date back to May 2018, a month after President Mokgweetsi Masisi came into power. At the time, he said Botswana would push for space in diamond jewellery and retail. As the deal elapses today, Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI looks back at the talks through the years

The future of the 54-year old partnership between Botswana and De Beers is set to be announced today with three options on the table; a new deal, a temporary extension to accommodate more talks or the declaration of a dispute.

Since 2019, the two parties have been negotiating the terms of a new agreement governing the sale of diamonds from Debswana, as well as the renewal of the company’s mining leases which expire in 2029. The journey to today’s deadline traverses declarations of undying loyalty, COVID-19, and rising tensions. It can be tracked through quotations from the principals involved in the talks in the past five years.

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