Dalai Lama’s African visit next month confirmed by government of Botswana according to a press release report about the Botswana Foreign Minister. The Dalai Lama has been scheduled to visit the African country which has drawn a lot of criticism and pressure from China but the officials confirmed that he will visit as scheduled.
“Botswana on Tuesday confirmed it will allow the Dalai Lama to visit next month as “a foreign dignitary” in the face of China’s fierce opposition to the Tibetan spiritual leader.” said the report in Hindustan Times.
“Botswana Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi told lawmakers that the visit was “purely private” but added that the Dalai Lama would be granted the status of a foreign dignitary.” added the report.
His Holiness is schedule to participate in a three day conference in Botswana which will be presided over by His Excellency the President, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, also attended by many eminent African leaders. Without explicitly mentioning whether the President Khama would meet with the Dalai Lama, the minister confirmed that His excellency will “extend basic courtesies for Dalai Lama” and the government protocol office “is charged with the responsibility to facilitate foreign dignitaries… this includes Dalai Lama,”.
The foreign minister explained that “the principle of non-interference in the international affairs of other countries is at the core of China’s foreign policy”, and therefore she expressed her belief that “China to respect our sovereign decision on this matter.” according to the report.
The conference, “Botho/Ubuntu: A Dialogue on Spirituality, Science and Humanity with the Dalai Lama,” brings African humanitarian and spiritual leaders, scholars and healers into conversation with the Dalai Lama and international neuroscientists about the African worldview of Botho/Ubuntu and it is scheduled between August 17-19.
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