President of Botswana Ian Khama
Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) – Botswana has told the US Government to keep a distance from its internal affairs or follow protocol in registering concerns.
The development comes after the American government condemned the arrest and detention of prominent journalist, Ousta Mokone.
Responding to America’s statement on the arrest, the Botswana government said: “We find it unfortunate to say the least that a foreign Government, much less one that professes to be a friend and partner of Botswana, should issue such a statement about an ongoing judicial process in our country, without even having first approached the appropriate authorities for clarification on the matter.”
According to Botswana, Mokone’ case is still before the courts, making it inappropriate to comment on the case in the context of sub judice.
“In this respect, the executive branch of the Government of Botswana remains mindful of its responsibility to uphold the rule of law, without fear or favour, in the context of the well known independence of our judiciary and law enforcement agencies. We can only hope that outsiders who profess to be informed will exercise similar restraint and not encourage lawlessness in Botswana.”
Propping up its sovereignty, Botswana quoted the latest, 2014, World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, where the country is currently ranked 25th in the world, just below the Americans who are themselves only at number 20.
“Further to the above, we would note that as a nation under the rule of law the Government of Botswana does not detain anyone indefinitely, much less hold them in occupied portions of third countries in violation of international law, e.g. Guantanamo.”
Botswana challenged America to be concerned about injustices in their own backyard, citing the recent alleged assault and detention without charge by law enforcement personnel of the Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery, while he was attempting to cover the unrest in Ferguson Missouri.
“It is also well known that the Missouri incident fits patterns of documented abuse, as is reflected by various additional sources, e.g. the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African American Descent, which has reported evidence to the UN Human Rights Council, of a 2012 survey that at least 136 unarmed African Americans were gunned down by police, security guards and/or self-appointed vigilantes in the United States of America in a single year.”
“The American Government might wish to put its own house in order before rushing to hastily comment on the judicial affairs of others.”
The United States on Wednesday condemned Botswana’s arrest of Mokone over alleged sedition charges, calling for freedom of expression and media freedom, both of which foster the exchange of ideas and facilitate transparency and accountability, are essential components for democracy.
Photo: Wikipedia
