Following reported escalation of xenophobia in South Africa, President Duma Boko of Botswana has declared a state of emergency and announced drastic measures against South Africa.
President Boko was particularly irked by the escalating tensions in South Africa believed to have been fueled by xenophobia attacks particularly against Botswana citizens.
Part of the resolve of Botswana against the xenophobia was an immediate cutoff of electricity supply to several provinces in South Africa —an unprecedented move that is expected to the severity of the already worsened energy crisis in the neighbouring country.
Additionally, the Botswana government has ordered the immediate closure of its borders with the former apartheid enclave and particularly demanded the immediate return of all its citizens currently residing in South Africa.
In a what appeared a decisive speech, President Duma Boko strongly criticized the treatment of Botswana nationals in particular and other African nationals, stressing that no African country deserve any form of discrimination from and by South Africans.
Boko noted Botswana’s historical role in supporting the black South Africa during the struggle against apartheid, saying; “we helped you fight oppression, and today our children are being humiliated”.
