Botswana–Kenya relations

Botswana–Kenya relations
Map indicating locations of Botswana and Kenya

Botswana
Kenya

Botswana–Kenya relations are bilateral relations between Botswana and Kenya.

History

Immediately after Uhuru Kenyatta was elected as President of Kenya, Botswana threatened to ban Kenyatta from entering the country if he did not co-operate with the ICC.[1]

Botswana had also initially rejected the AU's resolution to drop Kenyatta's case in the ICC, becoming one of Africa's only supporter of the ICC. Botswana was the only country that rejected the resolution.[2] Even neighbouring South Africa was one of the countries that called for mass pull out of African countries from the ICC. Botswana later on supported the AU's resolution.

As diplomatic relations were strained Botswana sought to fix the strenuous relations brought about by the Botswana Foreign Minister's comments about President Uhuru Kenyatta. President Uhuru Kenyatta was set to visit Botswana in 2013 following an invitation from President Seretse Khama Ian Khama.[3]

Kenyatta's cooperated with the ICC and charges against him were dropped in December 2014.[4]

Development cooperation

In June 2014, both countries held a business forum in Gaborone. The forum was aimed at improving trade.[5]

Trade

Kenya exports goods worth about Kes.357.1 million (US$3.7 million) to Botswana annually, these goods mostly consist of vegetables, petroleum oils, medicines, printing and book binding parts, textiles, hand and machine tools, cutlery, and furniture.[6]

Botswana exports goods worth Kes.17.2 million (US$182,406) to Kenya, these goods mostly consist of vehicles, tractors, articles of textiles, and plastics.[6]

Diplomatic missions

  • Botswana maintains a high commission in Nairobi.
  • Kenya maintains a high commission in Gaborone.

See also

References

  1. ^ Botswana apologises to Kenya over Kenyatta ICC warning. BBC News. March 14, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  2. ^ Khonami Ontebetse, Botswana rejects AU’s resolution to drop Kenyatta’s ICC charges Archived January 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. The Sunday Standard. February 6, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  3. ^ Mtokozisi Dude, President Kenyatta to hold talks with Botswana leader Archived 2018-01-22 at the Wayback Machine. Daily Nation. November 4, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  4. ^ ICC drops Uhuru Kenyatta charges for Kenya ethnic violence. BBC News. December 5, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  5. ^ Kabo Keaketswe, Botswana, Kenya strengthen trade relations . June 25, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Kenya, Botswana sign deal to boost trade. The Star. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.