RAPAPORT... Botswana is set to appoint a new minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources after its current minister, Onkokame Kitso Mokailam, was voted out of his constituency in last week’s national election.
Mokaila lost his Barolong constituency by a 4.5 percent vote margin – or 611 votes – to James Mathokgwane, of the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party, according to a tally published by Botswana’s Daily News. Despite his loss, Mokaila’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was re-elected to a new term in government under the continued leadership of President Ian Khama.
It is still unclear at this stage which politician Khama will appoint to replace Mokaila as the mine's minister and whether this will lead to any notable changes in the government’s policy toward the diamond industry.
Botswana is the world’s largest rough diamond producer by value with production of 23.2 million carats valued at $3.6 billion in 2013, according to data published by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. De Beers, Lucara Diamond Corporation and Gem Diamonds are among the diamond companies with operations in the country.
Mokaila has been depicted as a trusted ally of President Khama, with both men sharing an early background as officers in Botswana’s army and later entering politics. Before the election, Mokaila was portrayed by local media as a leading candidate to be named vice president as Ponatshego Kedikilwe, the current vice president, is due to retire this month.
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