Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "On behalf of the United States, I congratulate the people of Botswana on the 52nd anniversary of independence. Botswana remains one of our most reliable partners in southern Africa. Our shared democratic values and tradition, reinforced by deep mutual respect, form the bedrock of our relationship.

"United States-Botswana cooperation in health programming, in particular, has improved the lives of thousands of people in Botswana, and the United States looks forward to continuing this partnership.

"As all the people of Botswana celebrate this special day, Americans across the United States celebrate it with you."