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Sub Saharan Africa

Botswana

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Map of Botswana Last updated: 31 December 2008

Country information

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Botswana has good relations with its neighbours, and with the international community. A long-standing border dispute with Namibia over the Kasikili/Sedudu islands (in the Chobe river and submerged during the rainy season) was resolved in 1999. Botswana hosts refugees from both Namibia and Zimbabwe, an occasional source of friction with these countries. This has been exacerbated recently by the deepening economic crisis in Zimbabwe. For historical reasons Botswana has a close relationship with China.

Botswana is the current host of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat, and will also host the multi-national regional stand-by brigade which will be SADC's contribution to African peace-keeping. Botswana supplied troops to the UN in Somalia (UNOSOM) and Mozambique, and participated in the SADC intervention in Lesotho in 1998. Although well-equipped and well-trained, the Botswana Defence Force's participation in such operations is currently limited by financial constraints.

Southern Africa Development Community

Africa Union

Bilateral Relations with the UK

Recent Visits

Outward:

  • The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Michael Oliver, July 2002.
  • Baroness Amos, then FCO Minister for Africa, April 2003.
  • HRH The Princess Royal, July 2003.
  • Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, DfID, May 2004.
  • The International Development Committee, March 2006
  • Ian McCartney MP, Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, June 2007

Inward:

  • Then Vice President Khama led a trade mission, December 2002
  • President Festus Mogae as a Guest of Government, June 2003
  • Hon Neo Moroka, Minister of Trade and Industry, June 2006
  • President Ian Khama Seretse Khama as a Guest of Government, November 2008

Cultural Relations

The British Council is the focal point for cultural relations between Britain and Botswana:

British Council, Botswana

Policy

For recent statements of UK policy towards Botswana see:

Hansard (Enter Botswana in search engine) 

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Contacts

Botswana

Address:

Botswana High Commission
6 Stratford Place
London W1C 1AY

Telephone:

(020) 7499 0031
(020) 7647 1000

Fax:

(020) 7495 8595
(020) 7409 7382

Office hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1700 

Website: bohico@govbw.com