The absent President

It is also meant to bid farewell to the US before he leaves the stage. But in other circles, the visit has elicited a sense of revulsion. Mogae's opponents call it the longest official visit ever made by a President. They say two weeks is too long for a country's chief executive to be away from his base  particularly on the eve of celebrations to mark independence day.

Leaders of opposition parties in Botswana have condemned the visit saying it is a waste of money. MELS president Themba Joina said that it is unacceptable for Mogae to stay out of the country for such a long time. He said that early this year, Mogae visited the US and wondered why he went back when he could assign the Botswana ambassador there to represent him. Mogae is said to be travelling with an entourage of 25 government officials, which Joina condemned saying the number is huge.