The British government has refused to be drawn into the ongoing feud between former President Ian Khama and his chosen successor, turned- rival Present Mokgweetsi Masisi.
This was after Labour Party’s Peter Hain submitted written questions to the UK’s Parliament known as House of Lords recently in a bid to nudge the British government to intervene in the feud.
According to a document seen by this publication, Hain asked a string of questions relating to the alleged stolen funds from Bank of Botswana to why Khama is currently in exile and his soured relationship with Masisi.
Hain asked “Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they will offer to the former President of Botswana, Ian Khama, in response to the treatment he has received from his successor.”
The politician asked “Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for (1) Her Majesty’s High Commissioner in Pretoria, and (2) the Prime Minister, to meet former President of Botswana Ian Khama to discuss why he was forced to flee to South Africa.”
Hain also asked, “Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Government of Botswana’s use of AfriForum.”
Hain asked, “Her Majesty’s Government whether the Minister for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, during her visit to Pretoria on 11 and 12 July, discussed with the government of South Africa former President of Botswana Ian Khama taking refuge in South Africa.”
Hain also asked, “Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reported attacks by the government of Botswana on the South African Reserve Bank and the South African banking system, including RBS/NatWest and Ambassador Bridgette Motsepe.”
The Labour Party Member of Parliament also asked, “her Majesty’s Government whether Her Majesty’s Global Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva will engage with Botswana’s Permanent Mission in Geneva on how the government of Botswana intends to comply with UN Special Rapporteurs’ recommendations regarding the threat to former President of Botswana Ian Khama’s life.”
Responding to Hain’s questions, the Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), Zac Goldsmith indicated that, “There have not been, nor are there any planned discussions between former President Khama and representatives of the UK Government on these issues.”
“We are aware of the correspondence between the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings and the Government of Botswana regarding former President Khama,” he said.
Goldsmith added that, “These communications form part of the range of direct interactions between the United Nations and a sovereign State, and other States do not tend to intervene in this process.”
He further indicated that, “It would not be appropriate for us to comment on the Government of Botswana’s choice of legal representation, or its bilateral relationship with the South African institutions referred to.” According to Goldsmith, former President Khama has not sought the assistance of the UK Government.
Masisi and Khama recently renewed their public spat with the former drawing blood during a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) 58th national council. In a purportedly leaked audio, Masisi said Khama’s ‘anger’ stems from the fact that he refused to appoint his younger brother, Serowe West Member of Parliament Tshekedi Khama as Vice President. He also accused Khama of attempting to become President of the country again as he has recently shown interest in becoming Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) president. Masisi said also he wanted was that Khama should behave himself. Saying he had no intention of making Khama’s life a misery, Masisi warned that should Khama fail to toe the line there will be consequences.
Khama has refuted allegations that he once wanted Tshekedi Khama to be Masisi’s vice president.
Responding to Masisi’s alleged leaked audio, Khama said, “I would have chosen Tshekedi on my own had I wanted to and never needed Dr Masisi’s help to do so.”
“The nation will recall that Dr. Masisi used derogatory remarks on me, issued threats to myself and my constitutional rights and freedoms as a Motswana, despised and cast aspersions on the integrity of our neighbouring Heads of State and Government,” said Khama.
He said the fallout began after Masisi started to create difficulty for him by infringing upon his retirement benefits and entitlements. He said Masisi did not like the fact that he was getting public attention and continuing to be well received by Batswana everywhere he went.
“He decided to deny me aircraft for my local travel around the country so that I would fail to honour invitations and not manage to do my charity work. He followed this up by making sure that government media did not cover me in my public engagements,” Khama said of Masisi.
He added that, “Public officers were told to not facilitate my activities around the country to the extent that the DIS (Directorate of Intelligence and Security) were sent to make sure that people did not welcome me.”
