President Duma Boko Affirms Relationship with Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa as “Strictly Diplomatic”

The Office of the President has firmly dismissed recent allegations suggesting that President Duma Boko of Botswana received cattle or other gifts from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa. In a public statement, President Boko refuted these claims, labeling them as baseless propaganda aimed at undermining his administration and misleading the public.

No Truth to the Claims

In the statement, the Office of the President clarified:

“President Duma Boko has never been involved in farming, either as a cattle rancher or in any other manner.”

The allegation that President Boko received a gift of livestock from President Mnangagwa was described as a deliberate act of misinformation. According to the statement, the claims are an attempt to detract attention from the administration’s ongoing efforts and tarnish Botswana’s diplomatic ties with Zimbabwe.

A Call to Reject Propaganda

President Boko called on the public to reject the falsehoods, urging them to treat such claims with the contempt they deserve. He also appealed to the Botswana Editors Forum, requesting vigilance in preventing the spread of misinformation by rogue individuals posing as journalists.

The President’s statement highlighted the importance of protecting public discourse from malicious campaigns that seek to undermine trust in Botswana’s leadership.

Diplomatic Relations with Zimbabwe

Reiterating the nature of the relationship between Botswana and Zimbabwe, the statement emphasized that interactions between President Boko and President Mnangagwa remain strictly diplomatic.

The two leaders share a professional commitment to strengthening cooperation and fostering mutual development between their nations. The statement underlined that this relationship is focused on addressing critical regional issues, such as economic collaboration, infrastructure development, and sustainable growth.

Botswana and Zimbabwe’s Shared Goals

Botswana and Zimbabwe have historically shared strong bilateral ties, with collaboration in areas such as:

1. Trade and Economic Development: Both countries work closely to enhance regional trade and improve economic opportunities for their citizens.

2. Infrastructure Projects: Cross-border initiatives in transport, energy, and water resources are key to their partnership.

3. Security and Stability: The two nations collaborate on maintaining peace and stability in the Southern African region.

President Boko’s administration continues to prioritize partnerships that advance Botswana’s interests while respecting the sovereignty and development goals of its neighbors.

Conclusion

The Office of the President has taken a firm stance against attempts to distort the narrative surrounding Botswana’s leadership and its diplomatic engagements. President Boko remains committed to fostering strong relationships with regional partners like Zimbabwe, ensuring that the focus stays on collaboration and mutual progress.

The public is encouraged to remain vigilant against misinformation and to trust in the administration’s dedication to transparency and regional cooperation.