SADC-Chairperson-and-Agolas-President-Joao-Manuel-Goncalves-Lourenco-promises-to-engage-Botswanas-President-Dr-Mokgweetsi-Masisi-to-resolve-his-dispute-with-ex-president-Ian-Khama. Pic (C) Botswana Ministry of Foreign Affairs
GABORONE, 29th December 2023
His Excellency the President, Dr Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, paid a one-day visit to Angola, on 28th December 2023, at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The purpose of the visit was to meet and brief President Lourenço on the Government of Botswana’s position on the self-imposed exile of Former President Lt. Gen. Khama and some members of his family.
The two Presidents also discussed other critical bilateral issues including the security situation in the region which may derail regional integration efforts and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the sub-region.
At the meeting, President Lourenço informed President Masisi that he had been approached by former Presidents of Nigeria and South Africa on behalf of Former President Lt. Gen. Khama, to help pave the way to address issues around the self-imposed exile of Former President Khama and to help resolve his differences with President Masisi.
President Masisi briefed the Angolan President and Chairperson of SADC on the source of their differences and past efforts to address them initiated by President Masisi, which involved prominent Elders in the country, namely Former President Festus G. Mogae, Former Vice President P.H.K. Kedikilwe, former Speakers of the National Assembly Mr. Ray M. Molomo and Mr. Patrick Balopi, and former Minister Mr. David Magang, which regrettably yielded no result.
President Lourenço thanked President Masisi for taking time to come and meet with him and for the detailed brief he received. President Lourenço promised to engage further on the matter.
President Masisi thanked President Lourenço for the opportunity to brief him and exchange views on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest and expressed his willingness to engage further on these matters.
His Excellency the President, was accompanied by Hon. Dr Lemogang Kwape, Hon. Dumezweni M. Mthimkhulu and senior Government officials.
