16 February 2022 REF/BOC/2022/02-16

PRESS STATEMENT- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MINISTRY OF NATIONALITY, IMMIGRATION & GENDER AFFAIRS AND THE NGO-COUNCIL RUNNING A PARALLEL CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

BOCONGO notes an alarming Press Release from the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs where it intends, through the NGO Council, to coordinate the submissions of NGOs in the constitutional review process. Furthermore, we have been informed that the NGO Council has invited our regional structures to constitutional review consultations in preparation to submit Civil Society views on their behalf. This intervention by the Ministry is unacceptable for the following reasons;

1. Despite our misgivings over the process embarked upon by the Government in the constitutional review, we resolved as BOCONGO, to facilitate meaningful engagement of this process by our members and broader civil society.

2. The decision by the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs to direct submissions of NGO’s through the NGO Council does not only undermine the Presidential Commission and the Civil Society, but is also disrespectful to the Presidency. The Presidency issued clear terms of reference for engagement between the Commission and all aspects of our society and any attempt to consolidate views and opinions outside this set process can only be interpreted as circumventing the process.

3. Our understanding is that when the Commission was appointed, the Terms of Reference clearly stipulated that every Motswana has an opportunity to present their views to the commission, without an intermediary. In addition, the commission has made a special dispensation for special interest groups in every village and our members have been fully engaging with the commission through this dispensation. What business do the Ministry and the NGO Council, (a Government Department for all intents and purposes) have in consolidating and presenting the views of NGOs?

Private Bag 00418 Gaborone, Botswana

Plot: 54513 Unit 5 Courtyard Village, Gaborone

Tel: 3911319 Fax: 3912935

Email: info@bocongo.org.bw web: www.bocongo.org

4. We would like to categorically state that the NGO Council which BOCONGO is a member of, IS NOT AN APEX body of NGOs and has absolutely no mandate to represent the views of NGO’s in any platform and certainly not in the constitutional review consultations. The mandate of the Council is categorically stated by the NGO Policy as “advise the government on the implementation of the NGO Policy and all other matters pertaining to it including establishment of strategic partnerships for resource mobilization and facilitating effective government support to NGO programmes through line ministries as well as promoting the development of other sources of funding”. In no way does the policy purport that this structure will assume the role of NGOs nor it be the NGO Apex.

5. The Constitution of Botswana has enshrined and protects the citizen’s rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association. Therefore, the Ministry cannot curtail NGO’s freedom of expression.

6. This move goes against all the fundamentals of our constitution and is an insult to Botswana’s democracy. We see no reason why the Ministry wants to usurp the role of civil society and seek to behave like an NGO. We call on NGOs to guard their independence from government jealously and not subject themselves to being units of any government department. It is appaling that the NGO Council Secretariat and the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs would want to occupy the NGO space. We emphasise this as it is our understanding that this decision was not sanctioned by the Council, but a resolution between the Ministry and the Council Secretariat.

7. We shall be engaging with all the relevant authorities to ensure that this matter is resolved, and all parties abide by the set Terms of Reference of the Presidential Commission of Enquiry.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ON BEHALF OF BOCONGO BOARD

END.

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Private Bag 00418 Gaborone, Botswana

Plot: 54513 Unit 5 Courtyard Village, Gaborone

Tel: 3911319 Fax: 3912935

Email: info@bocongo.org.bw web: www.bocongo.org