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Botswana: National security strategy review
13 October 2008
Tautona Times
Gaborone: It is a very important day today, the day of the very first National Security Strategy Review Seminar in the history of our country. Let me start by thanking the British Government for its assistance in not only contributing towards the holding of this seminar but also for the assistance rendered in making the National Security Strategy Review possible. As you are aware the responsibility for the security of a state and its citizens lies with the Government of the day. Whilst traditionally the emphasis on security was mainly put on the safety of a state against external aggression i.e. military threats, in the contemporary world the concept of security is now broadened to include dimensions such as political, economic, social and environmental security in addition to defence.
At independence we were amongst the poorest countries in the world. In this regard the socio-economic development of the country was identified as the number one priority hence we adopted the contemporary definition of security. Botswana Defence Force was established much later and was established as a result of persistent raids and threats to security of the country by the minority ruled regimes of Rhodesia and apartheid South Africa. The establishment of Botswana Defence Force did not however divert attention away from the socio-economic development of our country.
The security of this country has been assured by the government without losing sight of our core values of good governance, tolerance, transparency, consultation and botho. It is no surprise that consequently these values are enshrined in our Vision 2016. In the context of Botswana, security is understood to be a condition which enables citizens and residents of Botswana to live in a secure environment free from both internal and external threats, to enjoy the protection of fundamental human rights and to have access to resources and basic human needs. It ensures the protection of socio-economic and political interests, the loss of which would threaten fundamental values and the vitality of the state.
This state of affairs, coupled with the relative peace and stability that the SADC region has enjoyed after the liberation struggles has somewhat rendered us complacent over the years. We have never made any deliberate effort to formalise our national security strategy. The political climate within the region has changed in recent years and, it continues to add new dimensions which could have a negative impact on the peace dividend that our region has so far enjoyed. This has inevitably called for our introspection towards the security needs of the country; hence we are gathered here for the next three days to discuss the formulation and implementation of a National Security Strategy.
We have amongst us the Security Sector Development Advisory Team (SSADT) of the British Government whose role is to facilitate the process. The end product must therefore be a reflection of our input and not to expect the British to do it for us. You will also be interacting with the most capable authorities on the subject from the Centre for Security Sector Management (CSSM) of Cranfield University. I am happy to notice that there is a balanced representation from the diverse nature of the role players in the contemporary security sector. I have no doubt that your discussions will definitely go a long way towards shaping our future national security policy. I further note with interest that the objectives of this seminar are to:
* widen Security Sector Reform literacy in readiness for cross government implementation of a new National Security Strategy;
* communicate the National Security Strategy Review concept to a wider critical civil society and non-governmental stakeholders in a way that fosters common understanding;
* meet the Vision 2016 pillars and in particular a safe and secure nation; and
* enhance Botswana's regional profile as a potential conflict prevention actor outside her borders.
And the associated topics for your discussions are:-
* The Nature of Security;
* Policy Formulation;
* Role of Civil Society in Security Strategy Review;
* Implementing and Managing Change;
* Strategic Environment: SADC Region and the Continent from a Botswana Perspective.
These objectives and topics taken in their entirety bear testimony to the fact that Botswana like most countries of the world requires a comprehensive national security policy framework, containing a thorough analysis of all threats and opportunities to national security. A centralised process of policy formulation that encompasses a holistic input from a variety of sources can help form a common understanding of national security. In this regard the input of all security relevant government actors and the civil society ought to be solicited. The resultant policy framework which will come out of the review process will form the basis for which security organs in government and in the public domain will come up with their own security policies. The policy will also ensure that operational decisions are done and implemented in accordance with national interests as well as the short and long-term goals of national policy. This will effectively reduce the discrepancies, redundancies and deficiencies in our national security policy implementation process. To this end, the security institutions will be appropriately resourced to deliver the capabilities required.
The national strategy will be chiefly informed by the prevailing strategic environment with its available opportunities locally as well as within the region and internationally. Since some of the threats are of an international character, the country will set the tone for the region to reaffirm both the bilateral and multilateral security network posture, which would in turn contribute to our international security obligations.
Let me assure you that our ongoing national security review is intended to take all the key stake holders on board at the appropriate stages. Our government holds in high esteem Batswana's unique consultation mechanisms, in particular the kgotla forum. In this regard, the process of our policy formulation shall go through the same trusted mechanisms. It is my belief and trust that the review will redefine the necessary institutional frameworks and respective roles so that the country's meagre resources could be effectively utilised.
* REMARKS BY THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND SECURITY, HONOURABLE DIKGAKGAMATSO N. SERETSE, AT THE OPENING OF NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY REVIEW SEMINAR: 07/10/2008
Keywords: Botswana, SADC, civil society
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