Masisi overlooks career diplomats
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has allocated 75% of ambassadorial appointments to political appointees who are not career diplomats. This was revealed this week by Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Lemogang Kwape. He further disclosed that there are currently 20 Ambassadors/High Commissioners appointed in their substantive posts with 15 as political appointees and five as career diplomats, appointed from within the ministry.
While it is not new that government has rewarded well-known politicians with ambassadorship roles, the five career diplomats across 20 missions have no doubt tilted the balance of power against the latter. Asked to state the justification of overlooking career diplomats and also to explain for how long this trend will continue, Dr Kwape said the appointment of High Commissioners/Ambassadors, both career and political appointees, is the sole prerogative and discretion of the President as provided for by the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana.
Kwape was responding to a question from Mahalapye East legislator, Yandani Boko who had asked among others how many diplomatic missions Botswana has abroad and the number of Botswana Ambassadors/High Commissioners. With career diplomats feeling overlooked when it comes to career progression and advancement, Kwape said whether politically appointed or not it should, however, be noted that an envoy is a public servant and therefore, has a job description that guides the general scope of their representational duties.
“The key role of the envoys is to represent and safeguard their country’s interests abroad. These interests, which are the bedrock of Botswana’s foreign policy, are defined by the country’s domestic policy and development priorities. In carrying out their responsibilities, the envoys play a fundamental role in building and nurturing relations, enhancing Botswana’s image internationally, promoting the country as an ideal destination for investment and tourism, as well as effectively implementing the country’s foreign policy,” Kwape explained.
Kwape said the country’s foreign policy entails articulating the country’s policy position on bilateral, regional and multilateral affairs, building strategic partnerships, and securing development opportunities for the country, and securing market access for Botswana products.
“In sum, an envoy is a personality who has, among others, in-depth understanding of the country’s national interests, vision, development priorities and challenges. This enables them to advocate favourable global policies and to harness international cooperation to advance Botswana’s development agenda,” he indicated.
Last year during the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution, submissions were made that besides MPs and councillors, career diplomats with requisite skills were being overlooked in favour of other people, especially those who lost elections. In 2020, former Cabinet minister Dorcas Makgato, who lost the Sefhare-Ramokgonami constituency to Umbrella for Democratic Change’s (UDC) Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang in the 2019 General Election, bounced back after being appointed High Commissioner to Australia. Still in 2020, former Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) secretary-general, Gilbert Mangole was appointed High Commissioner of Botswana to India. That same year, after serving as Specially Elected MP from 20142019, Mokaila was rewarded with a position as the Botswana Ambassador to the United States of America.
“It was therefore, proposed that priority be given to career diplomats for Ambassadorial appointments and that they should be appointed by the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM),” reads a recommendation from the Commission.
Kwape further disclosed before Parliament that Botswana currently has 23 diplomatic missions abroad. In terms of geographic location, Botswana has nine in Africa including a Consulate General, six in Europe, four in Asia and the Pacific, three in the Americas and one in the Middle East.
Asked if he is aware that the Foreign Service Allowance (FSA) of Botswana African-based Diplomats is very low compared to their colleagues outside the continent, Kwape said the computation methodology differs as the rate for African-based diplomats (except Nigeria) is calculated using the C1 scale as 3 base, and the E2 salary scale is used for those outside the continent.
“In addition to the Foreign Service Allowance (FSA, it is also important to note that the staff at the missions receive additional support from the government with the following; accommodation rentals; utilities (water and electricity); coverage of medical expenses and tuition fees. Furthermore, transport and telephone costs for the Heads of Mission and their Deputies are covered,” he said.