Speech by President Ian Khama, at a State Luncheon in honour of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta during the state visit to Botswana
It gives me great pleasure, Your Excellency, to once again welcome you and your delegation to Botswana.
This is the second time you have visited Botswana since you assumed the Presidency of your country. I therefore, wish to express my appreciation to you, for placing such a high premium on the excellent relations that exist between our two nations.
I am pleased that you have in your delegation members of the Kenyan business community. Their presence here is highly valued given the vital role that the private sector plays in economic development of any country. I am therefore confident that the Botswana-Kenya Business Seminar that you are scheduled to officiate at tomorrow will provide an invaluable opportunity for our business community to further engage and build on the momentum that has been gained to further strengthen investment and trade relations between our two countries.
The unique relationship that our two countries enjoy is premised on close historical ties, cultural heritage, as well as shared common values and aspirations.
I should perhaps also indicate that we share some common denominators, in that we are both the 4th Presidents of our respective Republics. We are also sons of the founder Presidents of our countries.
For us, the story of Botswana’s socio-economic transformation would not be complete without specific mention of Kenya’s contribution to our development efforts.
We note with satisfaction that during the formative years of Botswana’s Independence, Kenya rendered support to our young nation in the true spirit of solidarity. We remain grateful for this generous assistance.
Your Excellency would be pleased to note that a good number of our first generation public administrators, health care workers, railway workers, teachers, journalists, meteorological specialists, agricultural experts and social workers, among others, were trained in Kenya.
To date, Botswana citizens continue to undergo training in your country in areas such as agriculture, medicine, economics, meteorology, defense, aviation and community development to mention, but a few.
Allow me, therefore, to express our gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya for the invaluable support that has been extended to us over the years.
I am pleased that our two countries continue to closely collaborate through the framework of Botswana-Kenya Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC). This important platform continues to play a critical role in strengthening our bilateral cooperation, which is aimed at advancing our development goals and aspirations.
I must, however, emphasize that bilateral cooperation should not be measured by the number of Agreements or Memoranda of Understanding that we sign, but more on effective implementation of the commitments that we make. This will ensure that accrued tangible benefits improve the living standards of the citizens we serve.
I therefore, wish to urge our senior officials to continuously follow-up on the commitments made at JPCC meetings.
Allow me, Your Excellency, to commend you for your able leadership in presiding over a transformative development agenda in your country. It is, therefore, not by accident that Kenya is rated the 4th best destination for investment in Africa by Ernest and Young, and the 4th fastest growing economy in Africa. This is testimony to your Government’s steadfast commitment to achieve sustainable development and prosperity for the Kenyan
people.
Your Excellency, Botswana commends Kenya for playing host to refugees from neighbouring States over many years at great sacrifice. However, at the time Kenya graciously accepted to provide shelter for these refugees, you could not have known that their numbers would swell to be in the hundreds of thousands. You could also not have known that with such huge numbers, it would pose a significant economic burden on your country nor would you have known that such huge numbers would contribute to environmental degradation. Furthermore, you could not have known that your security would be undermined. Botswana therefore, fully understands Kenya’s predicament in facing such untenable challenges.
On other issues of mutual interest, Your Excellency, it is worth noting that both our Governments attach a lot of importance to wildlife conservation and management. In view of the enormous potential that this natural resource has in contributing to the growth of our respective economies, we need to do all in our power to ensure its preservation and sustenance for present and future generations. It is, however, disturbing that incidences of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife seems to be increasing on the continent.
We should, therefore, continue to work together in order to curb illicit trade in wildlife products. It is also crucial that we continue to engage the international community in order to find a sustainable and lasting solution to this challenge in order to close down the markets for these products in some Asian countries.
Another notable challenge, which continues to elude a number of African countries relates to the maintenance of peace and security. As a result, many of our people still suffer unjustly in a Continent that is endowed with immense natural wealth.
Whilst conflicts in some African countries remain unabated, I wish to commend your leadership and the tireless efforts of your Government to restore peace and stability in Burundi, Somalia and South Sudan.
Let me also take this opportunity, Your Excellency, to convey our deepest condolences to the Government and people of Kenya, following the brutal terrorist attacks on your country that has claimed many innocent lives, in the recent past and also to those of your armed forces who have lost their lives fighting this scourge .
We condemn in the strongest terms these heinous acts. We also applaud your Government’s resolute efforts in combating terrorism, which continues to be a threat to international peace and security.
Since I was privileged to be your guest at the celebrations marking Kenya’s fiftieth Anniversary of Independence in 2013, I wish to reciprocate this kind gesture by once again extending an invitation to you to join us in September this year when we commemorate Botswana’s fiftieth Anniversary of Independence.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to you Mr. President, for honouring my invitation to visit Botswana. I wish you and your delegation a pleasant stay.
Distinguished Guests;
May I now ask you to rise and join me in drinking a toast to:
* His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya;
* to the continued friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Botswana and Kenya; and
* To international peace and security.
PULA! HARAMBE!
