In the event that Botswana continues to feel duped, it will sever its 54-year collaboration with a UK-based company

Mokgweetsi Masisi, president of Botswana, warned on Thursday that his country will not relent in its demand for a higher portion of the diamonds produced by its joint venture with De Beers, raising the stakes in discussions to extend a sales agreement that expires in June. Al Cook, the CEO of De Beers, reported meeting President Masisi in Gaborone on Friday morning and having a "nice chat" with him. "The president's concern for the interests of the Botswana people is clearly top of mind. De Beers wants to contribute in a meaningful way to a potent, strategic alliance. I have every faith that this collaboration will progress in only the best possible ways "The CEO informs the media. Friday saw the Naira depreciate against the dollar, trading at N461.50 at the Investors and Exporters window. Compared to the N461 it swapped for when it exchanged to the dollar on Thursday, the rate indicated a loss of 0.11 percent. On Friday, the open indicative rate reached a high of N461.50 to the dollar.