Botswana refuses to pull out of race for top regional post

Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo have not been able to reach a common consensus to field one candidate for the role.

RUSTENBURG, June 11 (ANA) – Botswana has turned down a request that it withdraw its candidate for the post of executive secretary in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), local media reported on Friday.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) made the proposal for Botswana to pull out, the state-run Daily News newspaper quoted President Mokgweetsi Masisi as telling journalists on Thursday,

Masisi said the request came from a DRC delegation led by Prime Minister Jean-Michel Kyenge during a meeting with him in Botswana on Wednesday.

The two countries could not reach a common consensus to field one candidate, adding that Botswana would support its candidate Elias Magosi, Masisi added.

During a visit to Lesotho in May, the Botswana leader said his country was bringing to the table the best candidate for the SADC secretariat post.

“We do not bring a fluke to the table, he is no pushover. The man has impeccable credentials. He is top rated technocrat by our standards in Botswana,” he told journalists in Lesotho.

Botswana wants Magosi to become SADC executive secretary in August, when the term of the incumbent, Tanzania’s Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, expires.

The DRC’s Faustin Luanga Mukela is that country’s candidate for the top post.

Masisi said he had taken it upon himself to lead Botswana’s campaign and seek support from the region. He took the campaign to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Thursday, where he met President Samia Suluhu.

According to a report in Dar es Salaam-based daily newspaper The Citizen, the two head of states agreed to renew ties and focus more on finding ways to strengthen cooperation and relations especially in the economic sphere.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa