Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi last week fell short of firing a broadside at Russia for invading Ukraine saying the war on Ukraine is a threat to international peace and security.
Speaking at the general debate of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Masisi said on 2nd March this year, “Botswana was among the 141 Member States that voted in favour of the General Assembly resolution which demanded an end to the invasion of Ukraine.”
“With that vote we were reaffirming the purposes and principles of the UN Charter particularly its articles 1 and 2, which underscore the need for peaceful settlement of disputes as well as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Masisi.
He said: “The Charter is a binding instrument of international law, therefore all peace-loving nations ought to adhere to its letter and spirit under all circumstances,” said Masisi.
“We therefore continue to call on all parties to recommit to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue. The UN-brokered talks that resulted in the Russian Federation and Ukraine signing an agreement on the Black Sea Grain Initiative are a testament that when given a chance, diplomacy and dialogue can yield results,” said Masisi. If nothing else, Masisi said, the end of the second World War and the founding of the United Nations in 1945, has demonstrated that only if we approach conflict based on solidarity and working together, can we find peace.
“I commend the Secretary-General and the UN system organizations and other stakeholders, including neighbouring countries such as Poland for rising to the challenge to address humanitarian needs in Ukraine and other crisis situations,” he said.
Masisi said: “As we continue to seek amicable redress of this worrying conflict, it is important that the UN system be adequately resourced given its critical work of saving lives and alleviating the suffering of victims of armed conflict, climate change and other disasters,” he said.
He said the collective Member States of the United Nations, have the responsibility and mandate to strength international law, promote human rights and gender equality, and most crucial to protect civilians in challenging peacekeeping environments.
“In this context, Botswana shares the same ideals with many of you present here today on the principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P),” said Masisi. As has already been acknowledged at the 2005 World Summit, Masisi said, States have the primary responsibility to protect their own populations from genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“As part of the Group of Friends on Responsibility to Protect which Botswana is Co-Chair together with Costa Rica and Denmark, we will continue to ensure that the membership of the United Nations pays attention to this important responsibility to reinforce needed global action,” he said. Masisi said in Southern Africa, “we remain actively engaged through our sub-regional organisation, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in addressing the threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism to peace and security in our sub-region.”
