Although government does not recognise Robert Mugabe as head of state, Botswana will continue to work closely with Zimbabwean authorities on issues affecting both countries such as cross border crime and the control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Last Friday, the Botswana government announced that it does not recognise Mugabe's government following the controversial presidential run-off, which was widely condemned as not free and fair. Mugabe was sworn-in as president after winning the election, which opposition MDC leader, Mogan Tsvangirai, boycotted because of violence and intimidation meted out on his supporters by ZANU-PF militia.
"We have no quarrel with the people of Zimbabwe, we just want them to hold free and fair elections," Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Phandu Skelemani said.
The minister, however, said he did not want to pre-empt Zimbabwe's reaction to Botswana's stance of the new administration in Harare.
He confirmed that by inference Botswana did not accept the new government but said that it would not be in the interests of the people if Botswana and Zimbabwe were to break diplomatic ties.
Skelemani stressed that Botswana and Zimbabwe are interdependent states arguing that if diplomatic ties were broken it would far-reaching implications for the people of the two countries. He said for example Zimbabweans citizens cross into Botswana for various reasons while on the other side electricity that Botswana imports from Mozambique is routed through Zimbabwean territory.
Although Harare is yet to reply to Botswana's position, Skelemani said that if the Zimbabwean government cuts diplomatic ties with Botswana, the government of Botswana would recall its envoy from Harare. "We hope that nobody in Zimbabwe would ever think of such a thing," he said, adding that severing ties between the two countries would not be a lasting solution for Zimbabwe.
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Aha...the big talk about Zimbabwe from Botswana is now taking on reality. Botswana got it's praise from UK and other anglomianic media outlets. Botswana is said to have sent troops ready to invade Zimbabwe (wishful thinking). And now where are your "balls" to stand-up against Robert Mugabe? Go ahead...close the border with Zimbabwe, stop Zimbabweans buying stuff from Francisestown? Sounds tough.....but Botswana is a classic weakling in Southern Africa..Cheap talk with your many anglomianic expetriants proud of you.....Go ahead and close the border...then we will know that Botswana has "balls".
There was no invading about it.It was a protective move, i think you will find. If the west wanted war they would just arm Botswana to the teeth and they would walk over Zimbabwe in a few weeks, but they don't want that{as far as i know}. The want Zimbabwe people to have a fair go and they are not under mugabe and his regime. There is not much lower mugabe and regime can take Zimbabwe, it is all going to happen before the end of the year and Zimbabwe can then build itself back up without dictator mugabe and regime.
Oi west! How do you mean walk all over? You mean, like they walked over Vietnam, Irag and Afghanstan? You are so insecure l feel sorry for you. Who are you? Can you use your real name like l do? Are you a coward that you hide behind 'west' a short of the west. l have more respect for the Boers for they call a spade a spade. You want to eat your cake and keep it.
Haha Akafunboy. Its have your cake and eat it. Thats funny. But not as funny as you thinking the first and second world wars were a 1 on 1 between the English and the Germans. Thats hilarious. Say something else funny would you? I'm in need of your dumbness to entertain me and make me laugh... Oh wait you did. You think that Zimbabwe wouldnt be a walk over. Haha. that is funny. The difference between Zimbabwe, and Vietnam/Iraq/Afganistan is that those countries all have backers to provide weapons. What does Zimbabwe have? sticks and stones? What a joke. But thanks for amusing me once again.
How come you remind me of the Rhodesians and their Rhodesia Front. Your days are history, young dinasour! You are a loser and take note this is going to be last post about you.
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