Botswana Congress Party (BCP) leader Otlaadisa Koosaletse has slammed the government for agreeing to exempt US nationals from the provisions of the International Criminal Court.

Giving a keynote address at his party’s fourth annual conference in Mahalapye, Koosaletse said the recent agreement signed by the two countries made "Botswana a haven of lawlessness and exposes the hypocrisy of the United States government".

"The US calls for international coalition against terrorism and on the other hand it seeks to exempt its citizens from being tried for a similar crime." Koosaletse appealed to the government to rescind the agreement immediately because it "renders Botswana to be in cohort with the US in undermining international law".

The BCP leader also appealed to the United Nations (UN) to take charge of world affairs, because word peace and harmony were under serious threat.

In addition, the BCP condemned the military coup in Sao Tome and Principe, and called for the reinstatement of the toppled civilian government.

It, further, regretted the developments in Liberia, Somalia, Western Sahara, DRC, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

Koosaletse added: "It is imperative that the African Union should evolve defence and security structures to deal with the problems that beset the African continent." On the local front, Koosaletse called for an electoral system that "combines the best of first past the post system and proportional representation", as well as enhancing the independence of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

This is because: "as long as the operations of the IEC are subject to the control and sanction of the Office of the President and the president, the IEC can not be claimed to be independent." Koosaletse also called for popular election of the state president and devolution of state powers to other democratic structures like Parliament and local councils.

He also called for entrenchment of press freedom in the Constitution, setting of a permanent gender commission to advise government on gender issues and citizen economic empowerment initiatives.

Both Koosaletse and BCP national chairperson Batisani Maswibilili criticised Vice President Seretse Khama Ian Kahama for continuing to fly the BDF helicopters despite the advice by the Ombudsman to desist from the practice. BOPA

Botswana Congress Party (BCP) leader Otlaadisa Koosaletse has slammed the government for agreeing to exempt US nationals from the provisions of the International Criminal Court.

Giving a keynote address at his party’s fourth annual conference in Mahalapye, Koosaletse said the recent agreement signed by the two countries made "Botswana a haven of lawlessness and exposes the hypocrisy of the United States government".

"The US calls for international coalition against terrorism and on the other hand it seeks to exempt its citizens from being tried for a similar crime." Koosaletse appealed to the government to rescind the agreement immediately because it "renders Botswana to be in cohort with the US in undermining international law".

The BCP leader also appealed to the United Nations (UN) to take charge of world affairs, because word peace and harmony were under serious threat.

In addition, the BCP condemned the military coup in Sao Tome and Principe, and called for the reinstatement of the toppled civilian government.

It, further, regretted the developments in Liberia, Somalia, Western Sahara, DRC, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

Koosaletse added: "It is imperative that the African Union should evolve defence and security structures to deal with the problems that beset the African continent." On the local front, Koosaletse called for an electoral system that "combines the best of first past the post system and proportional representation", as well as enhancing the independence of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

This is because: "as long as the operations of the IEC are subject to the control and sanction of the Office of the President and the president, the IEC can not be claimed to be independent." Koosaletse also called for popular election of the state president and devolution of state powers to other democratic structures like Parliament and local councils.

He also called for entrenchment of press freedom in the Constitution, setting of a permanent gender commission to advise government on gender issues and citizen economic empowerment initiatives.

Both Koosaletse and BCP national chairperson Batisani Maswibilili criticised Vice President Seretse Khama Ian Kahama for continuing to fly the BDF helicopters despite the advice by the Ombudsman to desist from the practice. BOPA