Cablegate: Botswana: President and Parliament Sworn In,

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P 221437Z OCT 09
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RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: PRESIDENT AND PARLIAMENT SWORN IN,
CABINET ANNOUNCED

REF: GABORONE 815

PRESIDENT INAUGURATED
----------------------
1. President Seretse Khama Ian Khama was sworn in as the
fourth President of Botswana in a ceremony early on the
morning of October 20. In his acceptance speech President
Khama focused attention on the need to increase food
production in Botswana, improve education and skills
development, encourage continued gains in communication,
science and technology and diversify the economy. The
inauguration was attended by the 57 elected members of
Parliament, the judiciary, the military and local diplomats.
No foreign dignitaries were invited. In typical fashion,
after his swearing-in ceremony President Khama skipped the
reception with local dignataries and quickly got to work. He
immediately held a caucus meeting with the incoming Botswana
Democratic Party (BDP) parliamentarians to discuss his
nominations for the four specially elected MPs, the Speaker
and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and the Vice President.

SPECIALLY ELECTED MPs APPOINTED
-------------------------------
2. Several hours after the inauguration, a special session
of Parliament was convened to elect four specially elected
members of Parliament. President Khama forwarded four names
to the Speaker, and though all the MPs were eligible to put
forward nominations, none did so. Because Khama,s four
candidates were unopposed, they were accepted with no formal
vote. Although there was pressure from some groups to use
the special MP positions to promote women in politics, only
two of his four candidates were women: Lesego Ethel Motsumi
and Dorcas K. Makgato-Malesu. The other two specially
elected MPs were Ontetetse Kenneth Matambo and Vincent
Seretse.

FIRST WOMAN SPEAKER ELECTED AND VICE PRESIDENT ENDORSED
--------------------------------------------- ----------
3. The Parliament of Botswana was officially opened by
Presidential Proclamation Wednesday October 21 at 8:30 am.
After the Members of Parliament were sworn-in, the first
order of business, as required under the Constitution, was to
elect a Speaker. While the Speaker can be a Member of
Parliament, historically it has been a person who is not a
currently sitting member. Margaret Nasha, a retired Member
of Parliament and the prior Minister of Presidential Affairs,
was elected into the position. She is the first woman in
Botswana to become Speaker. In her acceptance speech she
spoke of the need for greater political representation by
women and her desire to foster a Parliament which will have a
lot of debate about ideas on how to lead Botswana, but debate
that will &have a high degree of mutual respect8 between
all members.

4. Speaker Nasha then lead the process of endorsing the Vice
President, who will remain Lt. Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe.
Under the Constitution the President appoints the Vice
President, who must be one of the elected members of
Parliament. (Specially elected MPs are not eligible to be
the Vice President.) A secret vote then confirms the
Qthe Vice President.) A secret vote then confirms the
endorsement of Vice President. Comment: There had been some
speculation about whether Merafhe would remain as Vice
President. His appointment may be a sign that the President
wants continuity during this time of party infighting within
the BDP, and may not feel the need to line up a successor
now. End Note.

NEW CABINET NAMED
-----------------
5. On October 21 President Khama announced his new Cabinet.
According to the Botswana constitution, all Cabinet members
must be Members of Parliament. Th new Cabinet Ministers and
Assistant Ministers ae:

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Ministry for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration
Minister ) Lesego E. Motsumi
Assistant Minister ) Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi

Ministry of Defence, Justice, and Security
Minister ) Dikgakgamatso R. Seretse

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Minister ) Phandu T.C. Skelemani

Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
Minister ) Kenneth O. Matambo
Assistant Minister ) Charles Mbiganyi Tibone

Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology
Minister ) Johnnie K. Swartz

Ministry of Lands and Housing
Minister ) Nonofo E. Molefi

Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs
Minister ) Peter L. Siele

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture
Assistant Minister ) Shaw Kgathi

Ministry of Trade and Industry
Minister ) Baledzi G. Gaolathe
Assistant Minister ) Dorcus Makgato-Malesu

Ministry of Local Government
Minister ) Lebonamang T. Mokalake
Assistant Minister )Botlogile Mogogo Tshireletso
Assistant Minister )Kentse Rammidi

Ministry of Agriculture
Minister ) Christian De Graaff
Assistant Minister ) Oreeditse Molebatsi

Ministry of Transport and Communication
Minister ) Frank Ramsden

Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources
Minister ) Ponatshego H. Kedikilwe

Ministry of Education and Skill Development
Minister ) Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi
Assistant Minister )Keletso Joseph Rakhudu

Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism
Minister ) Kitso Onkokame Mokaila

Ministry of Health
Minister ) John Seakgosing
Assistant Minister ) Maxwell Motowane

6. Post will report more biographic information about the
Ministers SEPTEL.
NOLAN

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