Liberia's ‘Iron Lady’ visits BotswanaBy MTOKOZISI DUBE in Gaborone | Monday, May 21  2012 at  12:48

Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is in Gaborone on a three-day state visit.

She is expected to meet President Ian Khama in the first of her official functions while in Botswana.

Sirleaf arrived in Gaborone on Sunday evening, marking her first official visit to the southern African country since becoming Liberia’s President in 2005.

President Sirleaf will visit the Otse Police College – an ultra-modern new campus located in the South East District – after a luncheon hosted by President Khama on Monday afternoon.

In Otse, she will meet the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Ramadeluka Seretse. 

According to the President’s press secretary, Maleta Mogwe Sirleaf will be given a guided tour at the Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone on Tuesday before visiting the Jwaneng Diamond Mine.

Jwaneng is the richest diamond mine in the world and is located in south-central Botswana, about 120km west of Gaborone.

After her official visit, President Sirleaf will join other heads of state, who will be in Botswana for the Summit of Sustainability in Africa. 

The two-day summit starts on Thursday and is aimed at initiating dialogue between African governments and leading businesses and institutions regarding opportunities, risks and rewards that come with increased international investment and commitment to sustainable management of Africa’s natural capital.

President Sirleaf's tour comes barely a year after President Khama made a similar visit to Liberia.

When President Khama visited Liberia in August last year, he was reported as having said that Botswana would cooperate with Liberia in the mining sector.