Botswana President Denies Mining – Relocation Link

Festus Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana, has strongly denied any link between a Bushmen relocation plan to diamond mining in the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR). The president attacked NGO’s, for targeting its diamond industry.

President Mogae called the allegations “wild and untruthful”, pointing out in particular Survival International, accusing them of an “extended campaign of deception”.

He went on listing what he called “easily verifiable facts,” including the lack of mining in the CKGR, nor a plan to mine there.

De Beers, which holds exclusive rights to Botswana's diamonds, welcomed Mogae’s statement. The company said that the Botswana Centre for Human Rights, Ditshwanelo, agrees, quoting: “… it is not convinced that diamonds are the reason for the relocation of the Basarwa.”