The decision by President Mokgweetsi Masisi to recall Botswana’s top diplomat and replace him with a relatively new envoy has raised eyebrows within the diplomatic circles.
There are even claims that Collen Kelapile has been sidelined to a lower-profile position within the country’s Foreign Ministry as he will be deployed to Nigeria as Botswana’s ambassador.
Documents show that Kelapile will be replaced by former University of Botswana academic and currently the permeant secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Gladys Mokhawa. Mokhawa who is an expert in national security related issues was appointed as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2021.
Information reaching this publication indicates that Kelapile is part of scores of diplomats that have vacated their duty stations including key ones in London, Berlin, Nairobi, Windhoek, Maputo and South Africa in what is seen as a major diplomatic shake up by President Masisi.
Expectations are that very soon President Masisi will announce another round of appointments of new envoys. Although diplomatic sources agree that there is nothing untoward as far as Kelapile’s recall, they share the same sentiments that procedure was not followed when a decision was take to recall him.
There are even claims that the government also went behind Kelapile’s back by secretly sending a letter indicating plans to recall to the UN without his knowledge as is the procedure. Observers indicated that the “issue is the recall as such… it is how it is being done, secretly, cagey and not following proper channels.” Kelapile is also ambassador to Cuba and high commissioner to Jamaica and indications are that he would redeployed as High Commissioner to Nigeria.
In a letter addressed to the secretary general of United Nations Antonio Guterres, the Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations “presents its compliments to the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General and has the honour to forward herewith communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with respect to the appointment of the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations.”
“The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General the assurances of its highest consideration,” the letter states in part.
The communication in question from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that “Botswana presents its compliments to the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary General and has the honour to inform the latter of the decision of the Government of the Republic of Botswana to appoint Dr. Gladys Mokhawa as its next Permanent Representative to the United Nations.”
Diplomatic sources indicated that when an ambassador is on recall, he/she is sent communique from HQ(Gaborone) with the date to report home. The incumbent then meets the UN SG to inform him of their recall. If the incumbent knows the replacement, they can mention it and when they are expected to resume duty. The incumbent leaves for Gaborone. The new diplomat arrives in New York with two sets of credentials signed by the State President as head of State
“Set 1 says- I have recalled the former; Set 2, this is the replacement. All these are represented at a ceremony with the UN SG called, Presenting Credentials,” sources said. Observers said this was not the case with Kelapile. In a related development that signals a major shakeup in the country’s diplomatic circles, President Masisi, has appointed Judge Dr. Sanji Monageng, as the High Commissioner-Designate of Botswana to South Africa. She replaces Tshenolo Modise.
