The government of Botswana has announced that it will support Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba’s candidature for the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
Elections for the position will be held at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November 2015 and MasireÔÇôMwamba stands a good chance of winning because she has served as Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth, based in London, since 2008. She recently completed her second term in that post in May 2014.
During her term as Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth, MasireÔÇôMwamba provided support and leadership for the work of the Commonwealth on political, human rights, legal and youth development issues. She gained an appreciation of the challenges facing the Commonwealth and insights into the potential of the organization.
Her vision for the Commonwealth is to initiate and promote programs that will enhance the relevance of the organization and ensure support and effective engagement with member states. She believes that even as the Commonwealth pursues its political values, it should lend a credible voice in the discourse of global development issues and play a special role in championing the issues affecting small states and vulnerable communities.
MasireÔÇôMwamba is a renowned international civil servant who has also served Botswana well in various capacities, including as Chief-Executive Officer at the Botswana Export Development and Investment Agency (BEDIA), Botswana’s former national investment promotion agency. She was instrumental in the creation of Brand Botswana, which is geared towards promoting Botswana as a brand to the international community.
