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 is the editor of Africa Times
President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, right, served as speaker during a discussion of technology and digital services as part of Wednesday’s opening sessions of the U.S.-Africa Business Summit 2022 in Morocco. Masisi said he welcomed the opportunity to promote African economic development and opportunity, while making a specific case for…
The leaders of Botswana and Netherlands were featured during a high-level panel on Africa at Davos on Tuesday, as the annual World Economic Forum continues in Switzerland. President Mokgweetsi Masisi emphasized the power of African youth, its growing cities and economies, and the potential that a unified market under the…
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…
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 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…
Botswanans had a bit of a scare on Saturday when the helicopter carrying President Mokgweetsi Masisi had engine trouble. A Botswana Defence Force presidential helicopter was forced to make an immediate landing as it arrived around 5:30 p.m. at Francistown Airport, upon arrival from Mathangwane. Francistown is Botswana’s second-largest city….
The president of Botswana began an 11-day trip to the United States on Tuesday, leaving from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport as he headed off for his working visit to a number of cities. President Mokgweetsi Masisi will visit Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York and New Haven during his…
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…
The entire board of the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has been suspended, following an independent investigation launched after reports of alleged misconduct among its members. Eric Molale, Botswana’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, said the board suspension takes effect immediately. It will continue during a…
Mokgweetsi Masisi, the current president of Botswana, will be the candidate of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) as the country moves toward elections later this year. His nomination followed the withdrawal of Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, who stepped out of the process on Friday with a last-minute statement that said she…
President Mokgweetsi Masisi returned to Botswana at the weekend, after the southern African nation was invited to participate in the World Economic Forum at Davos for the first time – and he said there was “a lot of excitement” when the delegation told the Botswana story. “We met a whole…
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…
Botswana’s new president is now sworn into office following Sunday inauguration ceremonies in Gaborone, and he promises to continue the legacy of the outgoing Ian Khama in developing the country into one of Africa’s most stable and progressive nations. “It is because of the peace and tranquility that our leaders…
President Ian Khama is completing a farewell tour of Botswana as he prepares to leave office at the end of March – and he’s been using the opportunity to criticize other African leaders for their failure to step down in keeping with their constitutions and the will of the people….