Gaborone (Botswana) 12 August 2019 (SPS)- Mr. Malainin Mohamed (Lakhal), presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Saharawi Republic to Botswana, to H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of Botswana, on Monday in the President’s Office in Gaborone.
The Sahrawi Ambassador was received at the President Office by Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr. Nonofo Molefhi, who announced him to H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, to whom he presented his credentials in the presence of the Media and other officials.
President Masisi welcomed the opening of the Saharawi Embassy in Gaborone, reiterating the “principled and unwavering position” of Botswana in favor of the Saharawi cause, recalling that he has personally decided along with President Brahim Ghali last year to raise the diplomatic relations between the two countries to ambassadorial level for the benefit of the two nations.
On his side, the Saharawi Ambassador asserted to H.E. President Masisi, the willingness of the Saharawi Republic to strengthen the bilateral relations stressing that there are many things that links the two nations.
Mr. Malainin praised Botswana’s principled position towards the legitimate struggle of the Saharawi people inside the African Union, SADC region or internationally, stressing that Botswana is well positioned to play a leading role in the continent and in SADC in support of the Saharawi case.
He further affirmed to President Masisi, that the Saharawi Embassy in Botswana has two main missions the first been to introduce the Saharawi struggle, experience and challenges to all Africans in Botswana, mainly to Motswana people, and the second is to introduce Botswana to Saharawi citizens and their friends as an African state respectful of the rule of law and of the principles of democracy and human rights.
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It should be recalled that the Sahrawi Ambassador has presented his credentials this Monday morning, followed by the Ambassador Designate of Zimbabwe, Mr. Batiraishe Henry Mukonoweshuro, and Ambassador Designate of France, Mrs Laurence Beau.
On another hand, Mr. Malainin Mohamed had already presented a copy of his credentials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received by Permanent Secretary, Mr. Gaeimelwe Goitsemang, on Wednesday August 7th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Gaborone.
The Sahrawi Republic opened a new Embassy in Botswana starting this June, after the two brotherly countries decided to increase their diplomatic representation to ambassadorial level.
The Republic of Botswana is located north of South Africa, bordered by Namibia to the West, Angola and Zambia to the North and Zimbabwe in the North-east. It recognized the Sahrawi Republic in 1980 and has always been outspoken in the defense of the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence.
090/500/60 (SPS)