Usually, national governments try to adhere to the principles of diplomacy, as enshrined in the Vienna Convention, while pursuing international relations. Even in situations where a government feels wronged by the activities of its neighbour or counterpart, the practice of diplomacy provides ways and means of tackling the disagreement. In addition to the Vienna Convention on Diplomacy and International relations, there are various charters which guide the attitudes of governments in relation to nation-states. Rarely does a government take sides publicly in the internal affairs of another sovereign state or declare its position openly in clear terms.
This explains why observers of diplomacy in Africa marvel at the statement issued last week by the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation in Botswana. For all intents and purposes, the statement cheered the fall of President Mugabe from power in Harare.
The terse statement simply said “The Government of Botswana wishes to inform its citizens that it is lifting its advisory on travel to Zimbabwe issued a week ago. Further, it wishes to take this opportunity to welcome the resignation of Robert Mugabe as President of Zimbabwe and share in the excitement, joy and celebration over this development by the people of Zimbabwe”.
The document continues, “Going forward, it is the Government of Botswana’s hope that the era of corruption, economic chaos, political intolerance, coupled with election rigging and brutality will be a thing of the past. The Government of Botswana will always be available to provide support for the Zimbabwean people’s new democratic journey of opportunity”.
Just as reporters who received the document were about making spirited efforts to confirm its authenticity, President Seretse Khama emerged to grant interviews to BBC and VOA buttressing the same issue.
Well, it is obvious that the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation, and indeed the government of Botswana, merely managed to tolerate the government of Robert Mugabe all these years.
