Introduction
Botswana is a very beautiful African country. She hosts some of the best wildlife and is a hot tourist destination in the Africa since it is located on the southern side of the continent.
Body
Promoting Stability in Africa
International Law Enforcement Academy
Fighting HIV/AIDS
Military Training
Diamond Interests
Trade Interests
Conclusion
Through Food aid and medical supplies, the government of Botswana has greatly benefited from the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR). As such, the country is of utmost interest to the US
Introduction
Botswana is a very beautiful African country. She hosts some of the best wildlife and is a hot tourist destination in the Africa since it is located on the southern side of the continent. Botswana is also the world’s largest exporter of diamonds. Botswana also boasts of one of the most stable governments in the country since the time they received their independence from the United States. Botswana is a good trading partner with the United States. Besides the fact that most of its tourists come from America, the country also has several alliances with the United States, making it a country of interest to the US.
Promoting Stability in Africa
Primarily, one of the key reasons that the country is of importance to the United States is the fact that the US has partnered with Botswana on some occasions. The United States has always seen Botswana as an excellent partner in promoting stability and peace in the continent (Bureau of African Affairs, 2015). Unlike most common African states, one of the key advantages about Botswana is that it is adherent to democracy and has always upheld democracy at all costs. Arguably, this has made the country one of the most politically stable African countries since its independence from the British in 1966.
International Law Enforcement Academy
Secondly, the Botswana’s army has also made several alliances with the American government. One of the various alliances that Botswana has made with the United States military is the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) (The Botswana Gazette, 2014). The International Law Enforcement Academy is an organization developed jointly by the Botswana and US government to train law enforcement officers, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge required to improve stability and security in their respective countries. Botswana and the US partnered to form ILEA in 2001. Since its establishment, ILEA has seen more than 6,906 members, graduate from the institution. These law enforcement officers are from 34 member countries in Africa.
Fighting HIV/AIDS
Another reason that makes Botswana a key area of interest in the country is the fact that various troops have been deployed in the country. Botswana has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection throughout Africa (BBC, 2015). Most U.S. Army troops deployed in the country, such as the U.S. Peace Corps, who were deployed in the country in 2002, have been steadily working with USAID to help combat HIV/AIDS in the country (USAID, 2015). USAID plays several other roles in Botswana other than fighting HIV/AIDS within the nation. Primarily, besides combating HIV/AIDS, another main role that has been played by the USAID is the preservation of biodiversity in the nation such as river basins and protecting the environment from degradation.
Military Training
Another key role that the United States military troops play in Botswana is the training of the military in the country. The United States has set up several military programs and military education platforms with the goal of developing some of unique military leaders. Botswana also benefits from the US army in that the latter is highly interested in strengthening military-to-military relations within Africa and sees Botswana as the most promising nation for such programs to be introduced into the country. Using Botswana’s military and through consistent training programs, the United States hopes to develop a stronger Southern African Development Community between Botswana and all her neighbors.
Diamond Interests
Additionally, the country also has one of the largest wildernesses in Africa with the Kalahari Desert occupying a large portion of the country. Diamond mining in the country has improved the country’s economy greatly (CIA World Factbook, 2015). However, it is argued that the government has been pushing Bushmen from their ancestral lands to mining more diamond for export. The United States government has a large stake in the country’s mining industry, and thus, works to ensure that it is pursued ethically. The US Army also should be interested in the nation to curb the rate of illegal immigration from people in neighboring countries like Zimbabwe into Botswana.
Trade Interests
Another key interest in the country that the US army might have is to protect their trade relationships. The bi-lateral relationship between Botswana and the US is evident in various sectors of trade. Currently, Botswana is the 132nd largest trade partner of the US. The US total exports to Botswana were $82 million, whereas the imports from Botswana by the US were as high as $283 million, reporting a deficit of $201 million (Office of the United States Trade Representatives, 2015). It shows that the United States needs Botswana more than the latter needs it. As such, to protect such interests, the US has deployed several military troops to protect its interests in the country, particularly in the Diamond industry.
Conclusion
Currently, the relationship between the United States and Botswana has changed considerably. Arguably, some of the officials in the country have had several bitter relations with The United States diplomatic leaders and as such, maintaining a good relationship between both nations is crucial. It is important that the US maintains these relationships as solid as a rock, owing to all the country’s interests in Botswana. The United States military also plays a key role in rehabilitating the nation, as well as helping its inhabitants survive. For instance, through Food aid and medical supplies, the government of Botswana has greatly benefited from the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR). As such, the country is of utmost interest to the US.
References
BBC. (6 May 2015). “Botswana country profile – Overview.” Web. June 29, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13040376
Bureau of African Affairs. (April 30, 2015). “U.S. Relations with Botswana.” Web. June 29, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1830.htm
CIA World Factbook. (2015). “Botswana.” Web. June 29, 2015. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bc.html
Office of the United States Trade Representative. (2015). “Botswana.” Web. June 29, 2015. Retrieved from https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/africa/southern-africa/botswana#
The Botswana Gazette. (July 31, 2014). “Deepening diplomatic tensions between Botswana and the US.” Web. June 29, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.gazettebw.com/deepening-diplomatic-tensions-between-botswana-and-the-us/
USAID. (March 05, 2015). “Botswana.” Web. June 29, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.usaid.gov/botswana
