Botswana

The US State Department has signed memorandums of cooperation with four African countries, investing $1. 4 billion, while recipient countries have pledged to invest more than $900 million of their own resources. The new US approach requires financial discipline and a gradual phasing out of donor aid, with clear benchmarks and consequences for non-compliance.

The Indian government has confirmed the recruitment of over 200 of its citizens by Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine. At least 26 Indians have died, and seven more are missing.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry warned African countries against Russian recruitment after two Botswana citizens allegedly became victims of recruitment. The ministry emphasized that Russia systematically recruits foreigners under the guise of employment or education, which is an organized state policy.

South African state broadcaster presenter Nonkululeko Mantula, accused of recruiting citizens to fight for Russia, has been released on bail along with four co-accused. The court rejected her request for the return of her passport, as she had repeatedly visited Russia.

South African law enforcement officers detained four men at an airport near Johannesburg, suspecting them of being mercenaries for the war against Ukraine. They planned to fly to Russia via the UAE to join the occupation forces.

Duduzile Zuma, daughter of the former President of South Africa, has resigned amid an investigation into the recruitment of South African and Botswanan citizens to participate in Russia's war against Ukraine. Police confirmed a statement by another daughter of the former president against Duduzile Zuma for "luring men to Russia under false pretenses."

Botswana's President Boko confirmed the government's intention to acquire a controlling stake in the diamond company De Beers. The government has already initiated concrete steps to buy out shares from the British company Anglo American Plc.

US President Donald Trump has maintained a basic tariff rate of 10% for countries with a positive trade balance. For 40 countries with a trade deficit with the US, a minimum tariff of 15% has been set, and for Canada, the tariff has increased to 35%.

Ihor Brusylo, Deputy Head of the President's Office, held an online meeting with diplomats regarding cooperation with African countries. Issues of agriculture, education, digitalization and countering cyber threats, as well as the humanitarian initiative "Grain from Ukraine", were discussed.

From July 1, Ukrainians abroad can submit documents for notarial acts online through the "e-Consul" system. This innovation simplifies the process, allowing citizens to upload necessary data and certificates without a physical visit to diplomatic missions until the last step.

In Botswana, the cause of the mysterious death of more than 350 elephants in 2020 was discovered. The study showed that the animals died due to toxic cyanobacteria in watering holes, which is associated with climate change.

The 1-carat diamond price index is down 23% since the beginning of the year due to the crisis in India and low demand. The situation is complicated by political changes in Botswana and the development of artificial diamond production.

President Zelenskyy welcomed Botswana's signing of the Peace Summit Joint Communiqué.

Ukraine is actively expanding its diplomatic presence in Africa, having opened 7 new embassies in countries such as Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Botswana, Rwanda, Mozambique and other Congo over the past 7 months, and plans to open 3 more embassies in Tanzania, Cameroon and Sudan.

The Ukrainian delegation presented President Zelensky's formula for peace, in particular paragraph 2 on food security, and demonstrated Ukraine's agricultural capabilities to the Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community.

Ukraine opened its embassy in Gaborone, Botswana. It became the 16th Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Africa.

The position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary remains vacant in 30 Ukrainian embassies in different countries, including the UK, Belarus, Ghana and others, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Human Resources Department reports.

Botswana's President Mokgwetsi Masisi has threatened to send 20,000 wild elephants to Germany in response to the German government's criticism of hunting in the African country. This is also a reaction to a proposal by German officials to restrict the import of hunting trophies.

A bus carrying passengers from Botswana fell off a bridge in South Africa, killing at least 45 people after the bus caught fire.