News / Africa
Ian Khama may boycott Mugabe inauguration like Tsvangirai
22 Aug 2013 at 08:36hrs | Views
Former Botswana heads of state, Sir Ketumile Masire, Festus Mogae and current Vice President Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe are due in Zimbabwe on Thursday to witness President Robert Mugabe's inauguration after his reelection last month.
In a statement from the Office of the President in Gaborone on Wednesday, the Botswana government did not confirm President Ian Khama's attendance of the investiture in Harare.
Mugabe will be inaugurated as Zimbabwe president for fourth term in office with reports already indicating the day of the inauguration has been declared a national holiday.
According to reports from Harare, up to 80,000 people are expecting to attend the main event at the national sports stadium in Harare.
While immediate comment on why President Khama may not attend the inauguration was not available, although he has since declared that the elections were free and peaceful.
After initially casting doubts about the integrity of the July 31 polls which gave Mugabe 61 percent of the votes and 34 percent to his rival Morgan Tsvangirai, the Botswana leader said Zimbabweans had elected a government and Gaborone was looking forward to working with Harare and improve relations which had been soured in recent years.
Several dignitaries invited for the inauguration ceremony have started arriving in the country ahead of the occasion.
Among those who have arrived are African heads of state and government.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasongo arrived this Wednesday evening.
Mr Kikwete, who is the Chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security (Troika), said his presence is a demonstration of his country's support to Zimbabweans and the president, adding that he was humbled to play a role of bringing Zimbabweans together.
A special envoy of the Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Mr Abudel Kaderi Ben Salah has also arrived.
Former heads of state and givernment from the SADC region including Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin William Mkapa of Tanzania are also in the country.
The two leaders said their coming to Zimbabwe is an endorsement of Zanu-PF's victory in the just-ended harmonised elections.
Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae of Botswana have also been invited to attend the event.
Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano and Namibian founding father, Sam Nujoma are also expected to attend the inauguration.
Zambia's Kenneth Kaunda, whose country played a major role in providing a rear base for Zimbabwean freedom fighters, is also expected to grace the occasion.
Dr Sibanda said the coming in of heads of states and delegations from abroad and neighbouring countries is clear testimony of the solidarity in the region.
The government has since declared Thursday the 22nd of August 2013 a public holiday to pave way for Zimbabweans to attend the inauguration.
President Mugabe won the presidential race after polling over 61 percent of the vote in the July 31 harmonised elections, while his main rival, MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai polled 34 percent.
In a statement from the Office of the President in Gaborone on Wednesday, the Botswana government did not confirm President Ian Khama's attendance of the investiture in Harare.
Mugabe will be inaugurated as Zimbabwe president for fourth term in office with reports already indicating the day of the inauguration has been declared a national holiday.
According to reports from Harare, up to 80,000 people are expecting to attend the main event at the national sports stadium in Harare.
While immediate comment on why President Khama may not attend the inauguration was not available, although he has since declared that the elections were free and peaceful.
After initially casting doubts about the integrity of the July 31 polls which gave Mugabe 61 percent of the votes and 34 percent to his rival Morgan Tsvangirai, the Botswana leader said Zimbabweans had elected a government and Gaborone was looking forward to working with Harare and improve relations which had been soured in recent years.
Several dignitaries invited for the inauguration ceremony have started arriving in the country ahead of the occasion.
Among those who have arrived are African heads of state and government.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasongo arrived this Wednesday evening.
A special envoy of the Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Mr Abudel Kaderi Ben Salah has also arrived.
Former heads of state and givernment from the SADC region including Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin William Mkapa of Tanzania are also in the country.
The two leaders said their coming to Zimbabwe is an endorsement of Zanu-PF's victory in the just-ended harmonised elections.
Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae of Botswana have also been invited to attend the event.
Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano and Namibian founding father, Sam Nujoma are also expected to attend the inauguration.
Zambia's Kenneth Kaunda, whose country played a major role in providing a rear base for Zimbabwean freedom fighters, is also expected to grace the occasion.
Dr Sibanda said the coming in of heads of states and delegations from abroad and neighbouring countries is clear testimony of the solidarity in the region.
The government has since declared Thursday the 22nd of August 2013 a public holiday to pave way for Zimbabweans to attend the inauguration.
President Mugabe won the presidential race after polling over 61 percent of the vote in the July 31 harmonised elections, while his main rival, MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai polled 34 percent.
Source - online
