In a message to Botswana on the occasion of its 47th independence anniversary on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the partnership between the U.S. and Botswana in the fight against HIV/AIDS “has made ‘important strides,’ but that the battle is not over,” PANA/AfriqueJet reports (10/1). “Our shared fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over. But together, we have made important strides: those receiving an HIV-positive diagnosis, who were once presumed to be facing an imminent death sentence, are now living satisfying, productive lives,” Kerry said in the statement, adding, “The partnership between the United States and Botswana is an investment in the future” (9/29).