Botswana picked the perfect point man for AU
Will oversee Botswana’s membership in the AU’s Peace and Security Council
At the beginning of March this year, Tebelelo Alfred Boang – a proud son of the soil and native of Malete, Tumasera in Tswapong South – assumed his post in Addis Ababa, as Botswana’s Ambassador to Ethiopia. Boang has risen through the ranks since joining the Department of External Affairs as a Foreign Affairs Officer in June 1991, and has been deployed in various parts of the world until his last posting as Director of Europe and the Americas at the Ministry headquarters in Gaborone. Botswana Guardian’s Ernest Moloi spoke to him on what his tenure as Botswana’s point man at the African Union will entail.
BG: Let’s start with where did your love for diplomacy or international relations start, and what inspired, nurtured and sustained it this far?
Ambassador Tebelelo Boang: The power of Principle vis- à- vis might, domination and injustice is perhaps the pre- eminent influence in my tilt towards diplomacy as a potent practice and conduct in international relations. My love for international relations perhaps as well as, stem from history lessons: at both the home and school.
Folklore stories and history lessons played a significant role in my penchant for what used to be called or known as “Current Affairs.” The resilience of Africans, on the Continent and abroad, against colonial and racial oppression; in large measure, further inspired my tilt towards diplomacy and international relations.
It goes without saying that our philosophy and principles as people and a nation, also had immense influence in my love for diplomacy and international relations. Just for ease of reference; there are such maxims as “ntwa kgolo ke ya molomo; moroto wa o esi ga o ele; matlo go sha mabapi; mmapodi ga a ipone se se mo tlhogong; tlhong botho...”
Upon ent r y into the then Department of External Affairs; it was the unrelenting mentorship of those we found in the conduct and practice ( not to mention their love for it) of Botswana’s diplomacy that served as motivation and sustenance to date.
The ever- present need for a sustainable Pan Africanist agenda and homegrown solutions to its challenges; remains a highly motivating factor too. I feel blessed and privileged as an African “child”; to still be offered an opportunity, to be of service to my people, and humanity at large.
BG: With your vast experience as a career diplomat, what is your opinion on a Codified Foreign Policy for Botswana? Do we or do we not need one, and why?
TB: As is well known, the Ministry has undertaken initiatives on a Foreign Policy document. I would not want to pre- empt such initiatives with my viewpoint.
BG: As Botswana’s Permanent Representative to the African Union ( AU) in Ethiopia, what can you say about Africa’s dream of a united Africa? Can this be realised in our lifetime given the myriad of challenges that Africa faces?
TB: Significant progress has been made over the years, despite the undeniable challenges that Africa faces, amongst these; political instability, conflicts, poor governance and unconstitutional change of governments. The AU’s Agenda 2063, is both ambitious and attainable, despite the myriad challenges. This is rooted in the principles of Pan- Africanism and the recognition of Africa’s shared history, culture, and aspirations.
Significant strides have been made towards realising this vision through initiatives such as the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services, promote intra- African trade, and foster economic integration.
While the realisation of Africa’s unity may not happen overnight, we need to harness our strengths and work together in solidarity. Through concerted efforts, political will, and strong leadership, we can make significant progress towards achieving the dream of a united Africa in our lifetime.
BG: Is Africa really under a frontal assault by neo- imperialism?
TB: Allow me to admit that indeed Africa remains vulnerable to external pressures and interests due to global power dynamics and economic inequalities. Even though it may not be accurate to characterise Africa as under a frontal assault by neo- imperialism, there are challenges that threaten Africa’s independence, autonomy, and self- determination. The continent has made significant progress in asserting its sovereignty and pursuing its own development agenda.
African leaders, institutions, and civil society organisations are increasingly advocating for fair trade, equitable partnerships, and policies that prioritise Africa’s interests and development goals. Initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA) and efforts to promote regional integration and cooperation are steps towards reducing Africa’s vulnerability to external pressures and enhancing its economic resilience.
BG: How important is the AfCFTA to Botswana’s ambition of becoming a high income developing country underpinned by a knowledge society? What is your mandate at the AU relative to AfCFTA?
TB: The AfCFTA has come at a very crucial time for Botswana. It will accelerate our ambition of becoming a high- income economy by 2036 and further promote diversification and integration into regional and global markets. Botswana stands to benefit immensely from increased access to a larger continental market of over 1.3 billion people.
It should also be noted that Botswana is in transition to become a knowledgebased economy, therefore the AfCFTA aligns well with these aspirations. We believe the AfCFTA will enhance technology transfer, promote skills development, and foster collaboration in research and innovation; in turn driving productivity gains, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.
My mandate is to advocate for the effect ive implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the AfCFTA. This includes participating in AU meetings, negotiations, as well as engaging with other Member States, regional economic communities, and stakeholders to advance Botswana’s interests in trade liberalisation and economic integration. I’m delighted to highlight that my mandate goes beyond the African Union, and the same advocacy and collaboration is extended to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa ( UNECA), which is also based in Ethiopia.
Botswana has already benefitted from technical assistance to develop the Botswana AfCFTA National Implementation Strategy to harness the competitive advantage for a sustainable beneficiation under the Agreement. This was made possible through facilitation by this Mission.
BG: What is your mandate at the African Union with respect to integration at sub- continental level, for example, how will you drive Botswana’s REC’s ( SADC) aspirations at the AU?
TB: My mandate involves promoting integration along the Southern African Development Community ( SADC) framework, while representing Botswana’s interests within such, and that of the AU. This entails actively engaging in AU meetings to ensure Botswana’s perspectives are considered in discussions, advocating for the implementation of SADC agreements, and coordinating Botswana’s positions on regional integration issues with relevant government agencies and SADC. Moreover, there exists regional structures such as that Permanent Representatives ( Ambassadors) of the Southern Region, which enables collaboration within Member States and ensures formulation of stronger and more strategic positions on different agenda items of the African Union, that could be of benefit and more representative to SADC. Thus, active participation in these structures ensures that our voice as a nation and region is amplified.
BG: Please give us an idea of the magnitude of security challenges in Africa that the AU is dealing with, and in your opinion how can the AU Peace and Security Architecture be improved to render it more effective?
TB: Our continent faces multiple, complex and intractable challenges across all the five regions when it comes to peace, security and stability. Over the past years as the African Union Peace and Security Council ( AU PSC) commemorates 20 years of Anniversary this year, the continent still faces internal armed conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, complex political transitions as well as impact of climate change such as drought, floods and other disasters, often leading to displacement of people and famine.
The AU Peace and Security Architecture under the Political Affairs, Peace and Security ( PAPS) Department, particularly the Peace and Security Council ( PSC), of which Botswana becomes a member on 1 April 2024, has since its inception undertaken remarkable and commendable efforts in promoting peace and stability in Africa.
Of course some efforts have been successful and some not so successful to this day. Therefore, maintenance of peace and security in the continent is still work in progress and the AU Peace and Security Architecture continues to reinvigorate and refocus efforts in addressing conflicts in the continent.
BG: How can the AU Peace and Security Architecture be improved to render it more effective?
TB: In my humble opinion, it is imperative that the AU PSC should redouble efforts in working closely and collaboratively with all stakeholders including Member States, Regional Economic Communities/ Regional Mechanisms ( REC/ REMs) and International Organisations including the United Nations to adequately and effectively address conflicts in our continent.
The AU roadmap as articulated in Agenda 2063, particularly the project on Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030, should be vigorously pursued. This is a very well thought out and crucial initiative.
With proper implementation and adequate strategic partnerships, it could pay dividends to peace, stability and socio- economic development in Africa. The AU Peace and Security
Architecture including the African Standby Force ( ASF) needs to be strengthened and capacitated to deal with multiple conflicts in the continent through adequate, predictable and sustainable funding.
The Member States need to strengthen good governance, consolidation of democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law in and subsequently improve socio- economic development and prosperity for our people.
The continent needs to invest more in early warning mechanisms, information and intelligence sharing to promote early response to potential crises and conflicts in Africa such as counter- terrorism.
It is my view that the African continent requires to embrace a culture of peace and non- violence where discussion, conversation, consultation and dialogue are fundamental to peaceful co- existence. It is our established belief and philosophy as Botswana that “Ntwa kgolo ke ya molomo”.
BG: What do you hope to leave as your legacy at the end of your tour of duty?
TB: Over and above ensuring that Botswana plays a significant role in promoting the agenda of the African Union, I wish to see enhanced relations and bilateral cooperation between Botswana and our host country Ethiopia and other countries of accreditation.
I have made a commitment to exploiting and ensuring a mutually beneficial collaboration with Ethiopia in areas where the two countries have comparative advantage; such as the Leather Industry, Agriculture, Air transportation, cargo and logistics, Education, Skills development and Cultural cooperation amongst others.