Gaborone (Botswana), 25 February 2020 (SPS) - The Ambassador of the Saharawi Republic and Permanent Representative to SADC, Mr. Malainin Mohamed, paid a courtesy visit Tuesday morning to Honorable Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Phandu Skelemani, in his office in Botswana Parliament (Gaborone).
The Honorable Speaker was accompanied in the meeting with the Honorable Deputy Speaker, Mr. Mabuse Pule, and members of the Speaker’s bureau and Secretariat of Parliament.
The Saharawi Ambassador briefed his hosts on the latest developments of the Saharawi cause, expressing the gratitude of his government and people for the strong relations of friendship and brotherhood between the two nations.
The visit comes after the recent inauguration of Botswana Parliament and election of the new Speaker to the post last November.
It should be recalled that Botswana has had general elections last October 23rd, 2019, in which H.E. President Mokgweetsi Masisi was elected as the 5th President of Botswana since independence in 1966.
The final vote count of the 2019 elections gave Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) its 12th consecutive victory, with almost 53 percent of the popular vote — and 38 out of 57 parliamentary seats. The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) received 36 percent of the vote and won 15 seats. Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) garnered 3 seats and the Alliance for Progressives (AP) 1 seat.
The elections were highly praised by all observing missions who agreed that they were organized in a democratic, calm and transparent environment. (SPS)
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