Opposition wanted Khama to resign from BDF and join politics � CIA

Khama
Khama

According to newly released Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) unclassified files produced in June 1984, the opposition had meetings with the then Botswana Defence Force (BDF) deputy Commander Ian Khama to join politics and effect “change from within”.

Nonetheless, the then president Sir Ketumile Masire with the cooperation of the Commander of the BDF, Mompati Merafhe took steps to limit Khama’s influence. “…A senior officer – an ally of Merafhe – was promoted recently to Khama’s rank of brigadier and given the operations command that had previously been Khama’s. To further undermine Khama, … the military adopted a policy favouring supporters of Merafhe for promotion,” read the file.

It said that for the time being, Khama appeared to be weighing his options; whether to renounce his chieftainship, work within the BDP, join opposition group, or even form his opposition party.

Editor's Comment
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