Botswana and Türkiye are exploring ways to strengthen their bilateral relations through parliamentary diplomacy and collaborative initiatives, according to Mr. Dithapelo Keorapetse, Speaker of Botswana’s National Assembly.
Mr. Keorapetse made this statement during a courtesy visit from Türkiye’s Ambassador to Botswana, Mr. Ahmet Idem Akay, in Gaborone . He emphasized that while Botswana’s Parliament is eager to modernize, economic challenges remain a significant barrier.
“We want to transform this Parliament, but the biggest impediment is the state of our economy. This courtesy call will open doors to more discussions on possible areas of cooperation in our quest to democratize,” Mr. Keorapetse said.
He recalled that the former Turkish Ambassador, Ms. Meltem Buyukkarakas, had previously engaged with Mr. Phandu Skelemani, the former Speaker of the National Assembly, in March 2024 to discuss strengthening parliamentary relations. Mr. Keorapetse expressed hope that he and Mr. Akay would build on the foundation laid by their predecessors.
Botswana-Türkiye Diplomatic Ties Continue to Grow
Highlighting the 44-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations, Mr. Keorapetse noted that their partnership had grown significantly since 1981, with ongoing negotiations to enhance cooperation.
“We are currently negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on eliminating double taxation, preventing tax evasion, and political consultations. Additionally, we are working on a Visa Waiver Agreement for diplomatic officials,” he added.
Botswana’s National Assembly, he said, remains actively involved in global parliamentary forums, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which promotes democratic governance, accountability, and international cooperation.
ALSO READ: NIGERIA: ECO CURRENCY WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY-EDUN
Historic Political Transition in Botswana
Mr. Keorapetse also reflected on Botswana’s recent political milestone, describing the October 2024 change of government as a historic turning point after 58 years under one political party.
“We’ve had an impeccable record of sustaining multi-party democracy without postponing elections. However, we were effectively a de facto one-party state for 58 years,” he stated.
He revealed that the current Parliament features 70% new members, including 36% young parliamentarians, marking a generational shift. However, he expressed concern over low female representation, which has dropped from 11% to 9%, with only six women serving in Parliament.
Despite this, Mr. Keorapetse highlighted the increasing leadership roles for women in Botswana’s Parliament, including the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Clerk positions.
He attributed many of Parliament’s challenges—limited capacity, resources, and oversight capabilities—to the legacy of the one-party dominance but expressed optimism for future reforms.
Türkiye Praises Botswana’s Democracy
In his remarks, Ambassador Akay praised Botswana’s uninterrupted democratic governance, describing the peaceful transfer of power in October 2024 as a historic achievement.
“I personally witnessed the smooth transition from a single-party state to a new government. It was a historic moment and a testament to Botswana’s stability,” he said.
Ambassador Akay noted that the Türkiye Embassy was established in Botswana in 2014. Although Botswana has yet to open an embassy in Türkiye, he expressed hope that this would happen soon to further strengthen diplomatic ties.
