Botswana denies Khama is threatened by its government

Botswana denies Khama is threatened by its government

Officials in Botswana have denied allegations of a plot to harm or kill former president Ian Khama, the latest in a series of claims and disputes that date back to 2018 and the rise of current President Mokgweetsi Masisi. “There is no threat by the state on Dr. Khama’s life,”…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Masisi, BDP declared election winners in Botswana

Masisi, BDP declared election winners in Botswana

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has been declared winner following this week’s elections in Botswana, with his Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) claiming the necessary seats in parliament to secure his next five-year term. The country’s chief justice, Terrence Rannowane, made the announcement Friday morning after verifying that the BDP had met the…

Botswana heads to polls as IEC denies charges of cheating

Botswana heads to polls as IEC denies charges of cheating

The polls are set to open in Botswana early Wednesday but not without controversy that’s already emerged over the country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the transparency of the vote. The IEC defended itself on Tuesday over two media accounts reporting that the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party, led…

Botswana’s Masisi seeks to woo former members back to BDP

Botswana’s President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, seeking to maintain his position in an election year, is campaigning in the southern African nation with an invitation for opposition leaders who have left the ruling though splintered Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to return. Masisi, speaking in Gaborone alongside a candidate for the October…

Botswana defends elephant hunting ban reversal

Botswana has lifted its ban on elephant hunting, in a controversial decision announced Thursday by environment and wildlife minister Kitso Mokaila. The ruling follows a year-long process in Botswana to evaluate the ban, which was put in place five years ago by former president Ian Khama. He was succeeded in…

Masisi removes Venson-Moitoi in another Botswana shakeup

Botswana’s minister for local government and rural development was removed from her position Wednesday, one day after announcing that she intended to challenge President Mokgweetsi Masisi for leadership of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). “Yesterday I informed, in writing to the BDP and His Excellency the President, that I…

Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa inauguration address honors Mugabe legacy

Emmerson Mnangagwa was inaugurated as president Friday in Zimbabwe, before packed crowds at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. Mnangagwa replaces the 93-year-old Robert Mugabe, whose resignation after 37 years in power was forced by a political crisis within his Zanu PF party and backed by the nation’s military last…

SADC welcomes new member Comoros, puts Burundi on hold

 Comoros has become a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), following the formal acceptance of the nation’s application during the SADC summit that ended Sunday in South Africa. It joins the island nations of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles in attaining its SADC membership. Comoros, led by President Azali…