- but says Masisi instead went to disrespect diamond industry controllers
- Alleges Botswana diamonds shunned as a result
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) leader, Dumelang Saleshando has criticised President Mokgweetsi Masisi for his failure to utilise sanctions on Russian diamonds as an opportunity to increase the market for Botswana’s diamonds.
The sanctions on Russian diamonds by the G7 which comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, as well as the European Union came into effect in March this year.
Russia and Botswana are the world’s two largest diamond producers by both weight and value. And Saleshando is of strong view that the ban on Russian diamonds should have benefited Botswana but condemn that president Masisi has failed to utilise that opportunity.
Addressing a rally at the Maun bus rank on Wednesday, Saleshando said the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) leader instead made diamond dealers shun the country’s diamonds despite them being one of the best across the globe.
“Today there is shortage of diamonds because countries have resolved not to buy from Russia owing to its conflicts with Ukraine. The demand was now creating an opportunity for Botswana to tap into the market and increase its diamond prices,” he stated.
Saleshando said instead of the dealers now procuring diamonds from Botswana which are precious and of high quality they now opt to buy from Angola and Namibia. “Ours are not being sold because Masisi has gone to disrespect companies that controls the diamond industry, “said Saleshando claiming that the country’s diamonds continue to pile without getting buyers.
The BCP leader added, “he goes around bragging that he had signed a better new diamond deal with De Beers. The truth is that there is nothing that has been signed and as we speak today, diamonds are piling in Gaborone because there is no one buying them.”
Saleshando warned public servants that diamond dealers are now waiting for election results and that if Masisi is voted back in power the Botswana diamonds will continue not being sold consequently affecting their (public servants) monthly salaries. “As public servants when voting do not interfere a lot on issues that we are speaking about just protect your monthly salary by voting BCP.”
Meanwhile Saleshando reiterated that Masisi has throughout his entire term taken the country’s economy to the gutters. “They use GABS as an excuse to hide behind the fact that Masisi’s administration has depleted government coffers. He is running around claiming to be doing ground breaking while different government departments indicate that there are no funds,” said Saleshando warning electorates that voting BDP once again into power is similar to committing suicide.
