Gaborone, Botswana – 6 October 2025

The Pan-Afrikanist Watchman

The European Union Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, Mr Johan Borgstam, paid a courtesy call this morning on Botswana’s Minister of International Relations, Honourable Dr Phenyo Butale, as part of his two-day working visit to the country.

The meeting focused on peace and security developments in the Great Lakes region, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to collaborative efforts that promote democracy, stability, and sustainable development.

Discussions also highlighted the role of regional African bodies—now under the leadership of the African Union—in advancing long-term peacebuilding strategies.

Mr Borgstam’s visit underscores the EU’s continued engagement with African partners on governance and resource transparency.

While in Botswana, he will participate in a high-level strategic workshop titled “Enhancing the ICGLR Regional Certification Mechanism through Lessons Learned from the Kimberley Process: Towards Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Development in the Great Lakes Region.”

The workshop aims to strengthen certification systems for natural resources, drawing on Botswana’s experience in diamond governance.

In addition to his meeting with Minister Butale, Mr Borgstam is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on former President of Botswana, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi.

Dr Masisi was recently appointed as the Peace Facilitator for the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with a mandate focused on economic integration and natural resource management.

Mr Borgstam’s engagements in Botswana reflect growing international interest in regional peacebuilding frameworks and the country’s emerging role in shaping continental dialogue on sustainable development.