Masisi- Khama fallout attracts regional leaders
The misunderstanding between former President, Dr. Ian Khama and his successor, President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi has attracted the attention of some leaders in the SADC region.
In an interview, Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of SKI Foundation, Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo revealed that the public mischief has attracted the attention of some of Botswana’s neighbours given the worldwide reputation of Botswana as a solid democracy where the rule of law and civil liberties have always been respected and protected.
While Kaboyamodimo opted not to be specific and detailed regarding what action the said countries are taking to resolve the fallout, unconfirmed reports say the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa has offered to escalate the Masisi- Khama matter to SADC for resolution.
Kaboyamodimo says contrary to allegations that Khama is out there mobilising arms of war, in preparation to launch a civil war and bring down the current government, Khama has always been committed to peace and reconciliation.
There have been allegations that Khama, who is on a self- imposed exile in South Africa, has been visiting neighbouring countries where he maligns President Masisi and his government.
After a few days in South Africa, Khama wrote a letter to the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa pleading with him to take punitive action against Masisi, whose government had alleged that, South African institutions had been party to a financial crime perpetrated by some citizens of Botswana.
‘’ Over the three years that the issue has been in existence, he accommodated and cooperated with every single effort to broker peace between him and President Masisi, starting with the first such overture of former President Mogae’s team right up to the second team of ( BDP) Elders comprising Daniel Kwelagobe, Charles Tibone, Ambassador Legwaila Legwaila and Satar Dada,” Kaboyamodimo said.
He also noted that in all those conversations, Khama gave full disclosure of his differences with Masisi and his reasons for his side of the issue as well as giving his commitment to any fair and sincere process of peace- making.
“Contrary to periodic misinformation, never at any point has the former President refused or rejected any invitation to try to solve the puzzle. Can that be the attitude of someone who is not committed to reconciliation?’’ the Foundation boss asked rhetorically.
Kaboyamodimo’s says allegations that Khama is birthing a guerrilla movement are ridiculous.
“Nothing could be more ridiculous and absurd,” he said, adding that Khama is doing none of that whatsoever. “Everybody knows that this is a continued smear campaign to discredit him for his bold and robust opposition to the current repression and erosion of rights and freedoms in Botswana, including his own, along with political intolerance by the current regime,” he lashed out.
In his view, President Masisi’s repression is characterised by a witch- hunt mounted by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services ( DIS) and those that control the secret service in blatant disregard for the rule of law.
Kaboyamodimo said that Batswana are aware of the “repeated failures” by the DIS at the courts of law to try to justify the “illegal activities used to harass and persecute” Khama.