Masisi is conflicted in Eswatini and “out of depth”
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) should recall President Mokgweetsi Masisi, current chair of the SADC organ on Politics, Defence and Security (Troika), who lacks objectivity about the unfolding crisis in eSwatini and therefore cannot mediate between the clashing security forces and demonstrators calling for electoral reforms.
Coronavirus: Censorship is not the cure
Joel Konopo
The glitter of Botswana’s “shining example of democracy” is fading as the country of 2.3 million people slowly slides towards authoritarianism.
Coronavirus: Poaching fears spread at Wildlife Dept.
Calistus Bosaletswe
A leaked document in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism shows that some officers are deeply concerned about possible escalation in poaching if Botswana Defence Force (BDF) troops deployed in anti-poaching are withdrawn from national parks in the Okavango Delta and transferred to support Covid-19 restrictions.
Parliament in quarantine over virus as BDP extends emergency powers to six months
Botswana is placing its entire cabinet and members of parliament in quarantine after a health worker screening lawmakers for coronavirus was found to be infected with Covid-19.
Parliament set stage for historic COVID-19 vote
Parliament is expected to vote in a crucial decision on whether to extend President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s emergency powers to last for a period of six months.
Botswana declares state of emergency, goes on lockdown
Kago Komane
Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic, placing the country on lockdown for 28 days from April 2.
As Covid-19 is spreading rapidly across the world: Botswana looks unprepared
Botswana’s decentralized authority, poor health care and skimpy safety-net will all make the coronavirus response harder to deal with. The uncertainty is high, according to health officials. KAGO KOMANE reports.
UB rot sparks row
A furious row has erupted at the cash-strapped University of Botswana over the vice -chancellor, Professor David Norris, who is accused of purging staff “who differ with him” and riding roughshod over tender procedures.
Who is Mokgweetsi Masisi?
Earnest, highly educated, elitist and remote, President Mokgweetsi Masisi lacks the charisma of Botswana’s former president Ian Khama.But unless the country’s fragmented opposition launches a spirited campaign, he could well increase the ruling party Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) vote in next year’s general election.
