adminTichaona Zindoga Senior Political Writer
Botswana President Ian Khama should act more in keeping with his father, Sir Seretse Khama’s statesmanship rather than give way to whims that harm his relationships with fellow African leaders, analysts say.
Mr Khama has broken ranks with continental leaders on issues such as the International Criminal Court’s prosecution of sitting Heads of State and Government, and was recently quoted castigating Sadc for endorsing the harmonised elections in Zimbabwe.
However, Botswana was on Thursday among countries that attended the Sadc Extraordinary Summit in Ethiopia chaired by President Mugabe, and in so doing effectively endorsed his leadership.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa yesterday said, “The mere fact that Botswana was represented and attended the meeting means that it accepts President Mugabe as the legitimate leader of the country.”
He continued: “He (Ian Khama)should keep the tradition of his father who was a great statesman and played a vital role in the liberation of the region under very different circumstances. If he gives up his caprices and sticks to this he will not lose his campus.”
Mr Khama should not do things that hurt Botswana and Sadc’s interests, said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.
“On the other hand, we should not condemn Mr Khama but those that use him — the agents provocateurs — that seek to sow discord among African countries.”
Political commentator Mr Alexander Kanengoni said the “blunder-and-regret-later” Mr Khama should be accepted as he is.
“Some people make mistakes and if they make a U-turn we should accept them. What we should also understand is that some leaders are used as mouthpieces of certain interests who put words into their mouths and they will not be the brains behind the words, he said.
Online Reporter