- At the invitation of His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, Honourable Philip E. Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, undertook an Official Visit to the Republic of Botswana, from 18th to 23rd March 2024.
- The visit followed a State visit to The Bahamas by His Excellency the President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi and First Lady Mrs Neo Jane Masisi in September 2023.
- Prime Minister Davis was accompanied in his visit to Botswana by Honourable Frederick A. Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Honourable Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education, Technical and Vocational Training; Honourable Senator Michael Halkitis, Minister of Economic Affairs and Leader of Government Business in the Senate; Honourable Mario K. Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture; and Senior Government Officials of The Bahamas.
- During the Visit, the two Leaders held Official Talks, at which they had substantive and fruitful discussions on issues of mutual interest at the bilateral and multilateral levels. They expressed satisfaction at the strong bonds of friendship, solidarity and cordial relations that exist between Botswana and The Bahamas. They also expressed their desire and commitment to work closely together to further deepen and enhance bilateral cooperation between their two countries.
- The two leaders further expressed satisfaction at progress being made towards the implementation of commitments made during the State Visit to The Bahamas by His Excellency President Masisi, in September 2023, during which the MoU on Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries was signed.
- To further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the Botswana University of Agriculture (BUAN) and Natural Resources and The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will facilitate exchange of students and academic staff between the two institutions; joint research, development of joint academic programmes; and assistance in capacity building, amongst others.
- The two leaders acknowledged that there are still ongoing discussions between other Departments of the two countries, with a view to conclude additional instruments of bilateral cooperation by June 2024, particularly in the areas of tourism, education, agriculture, and finance.
- To this end The Bahamas offered Botswana access to a repository facility at the Grand Bahamas Port in order to enhance trade links, foster economic cooperation and facilitate Botswana’s exports into the US and other international markets.
- Botswana extended to The Bahamas ten (10) scholarships for academic year 2024/25, and a further one hundred and five (105) graduate spaces reserved for uptake by students from The Bahamas at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- The two leaders also exchanged views on political and security developments in their respective regions and around the world. They noted with satisfaction that, generally, conditions of peace and stability continue to prevail in the Southern Africa region, save for pockets of instability in some parts of the region, particularly, in northern Mozambique and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
- The two leaders expressed concern at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Haiti. They strongly condemned the criminal activities of armed gangs and expressed hope for a speedy deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council, to assist that country in combating gang violence. They also commended the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for speedily facilitating the signing of the agreement on a transitional governance arrangement in Haiti, on 11 March 2024. They urged all parties to allow the Transitional Council to bring stability back to Haiti.
- President Masisi and Prime Minister Davis also expressed concern at the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict which continue to cause untold misery to innocent civilians, and in particular, the unacceptable wanton killing of children, women and the elderly in the Gaza. They reiterated their countries’ unshakable commitment to multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with the United Nations Charter. They further reiterated their call for the comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, to make it more representative, democratic, and able to live up to its raison d’etre: – the maintenance of international peace and security.
- During his stay in Botswana, Prime Minister Davis visited and toured the Bank of Botswana; The Botswana Digital Innovation Hub; and the Diamond Trading Company Botswana, to appreciate the facilities and activities of the institutions. He also visited and toured the Citrus Project in Selibe Phikwe. The President of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute, Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna, delivered a lecture on “African Caribbean Climate Action on Adaptation and Mitigation Measures’’, at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, on behalf of Prime Minister Davis.
- At the end of the Visit, Prime Minister Davis expressed gratitude to His Excellency President Masisi and the Government and the people of the Republic of Botswana for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during their stay in Botswana. He wished Botswana well in her preparations for the country’s upcoming General Election, to be held later in the year.
- His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi thanked The Honourable Philip E. Davis for honouring his invitation and extended, through the Prime Minister, an invitation to Her Excellency Mrs. Cynthia A. Pratt, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, to pay a State Visit to Botswana, at dates to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.
ISSUED IN GABORONE, BOTSWANA, ON 23 MARCH 2024.
