- President Boko says De Beers was ready to walk away
- Former president Masisi labelled initial deal “colonial”
- Masisi’s condescending tone reportedly infuriated De Beers
BONGANI MALUNGA
Mining conglomerate De Beers is keen to consolidate cordial relations with the Botswana government as both parties lean towards revisiting a contract extension agreed under the former president Mokgweetsi Masisi’s government last year.
A new sales pact was agreed in principle in a deal that would see Botswana’s share of diamonds gradually increase to 50 percent over a 10-year period.
However, a change in government has presented a different outlook on the matter and the mining giant is receptive of the idea of renewed discussions as indicated by President Duma Boko on several occasions.
Shared objectives
According to a report published by global media outlet Reuters last week, a De Beers spokesperson revealed that they are open to holding fresh talks.
“We will continue to work with Botswana’s government in support of shared objectives, as we always have,” the spokesperson said.
These comments were preceded by President Duma Boko announcing his government’s willingness to hold talks with De Beers when making his first speech after his party was elected to office.
De Beers, govt solidarity
“We have to safeguard the goose that lays for us the golden egg,” he said.
The CEO of De Beers, Al Cook, also attended Boko’s inauguration in Gaborone last Friday to demonstrate solidarity with the new government.
According to President Boko on another occasion, De Beers was ready to walk away from the deal with the previous government. “The relationship with De Beers could have been damaged by the way the negotiations were handled,” he said.
“The first thing that needs to be done is to engage the other party. A proper negotiation involves compromise where you get a bit of what you wanted, the other person gets a bit. Then you (will) have a durable, sustainable agreement.”
“I have conquered a giant”
In recent months, former president Mokgweetsi Masisi made comments that implied that his Botswana Democratic Party-led government drove a hard bargain in negotiations with De Beers.
In a June interview with France24, Masisi referred to the initial agreement with De Beers as “colonial”. In other public platforms he stated: “Ke digile mokaloba” which translates into “I have conquered a giant” in relation to the De Beers negotiations.
According to multiple international outlets, the former president’s comments irked De Beers because of their underlying condescending tone.