- Khama attempted to meet President Karis in Estonia
- Karis was focused on meeting President Masisi
- Khama made his move after learning of Karis’ state visit
GAZETTE REPORTER
Estonian president Alar Karis is reported to have turned down attempts by Botswana’s former president Ian Khama to see him before his state visit to Botswana.
Khama was in Tallinn, Estonia late last month for unspecified reasons.
Information reaching The Botswana Gazette is that Khama made a request to meet President Karis through high ranking Estonian officials but failed.
Four-day state visit
It is alleged that Khama received information that Karis would be coming to Botswana in early March and wanted to brief the Estonian leader on recent “concerning” developments in the country.
President Karis is currently in Botswana on a four-day state visit.
On 27 February, Khama shared pictures of himself with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, and the Speaker of National Assembly, Lauri Hussar.
“During our visit, they provided us with valuable insights into both the country and the wider region. Additionally, we took the opportunity to explore the charming city of Tallinn, further enriching our experience,” read Khama’s caption story that went with the pictures.
Before leaving for Europe, Khama had announced that he was going to meet with Members of Parliament of the United Kingdom to lobby them for a ban on trophy hunting in Botswana.
Germany and France
Sources reveal that he subsequently went to Germany and France for the same purpose.
Meanwhile, Botswana’s opposition parties recently issued a press release to announce plans to engage all foreign missions in the country as well as the international community to raise “alarm about the Botswana Democratic Party’s intentions of rigging the 2024 elections and undermine democracy”.
The Botswana Gazette is informed that Khama made the same allegations during his Europe tour.