Segokgo hangs military boots, new commander appointed

Ryder Gabathuse | Friday October 31, 2025 12:33

The announcement of the seventh army commander will be made at the SSKB, and this is an event that has left military personnel in tenterhooks, as they are curious to appreciate the new line of command. The issue has become topical in the corridors of the military installations. But on Monday, there will be a new sheriff in town.

Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo, on Monday, will hang up his military boots as he reaches the statutory retirement age of 62 years next Wednesday. The retiring Segokgo is the sixth Botswana Defence Force (BDF) commander who took over from retired Lt General Gaolathe Galebotswe. Other retired army commanders include Tebogo Masire, Matshwenyego Fisher, Ian Khama, and the pioneering late Mompati Merafhe.

Formed in 1977, the BDF has enjoyed a seamless transition of power and has modernised enough as it continues to get raving reviews about its high discipline and modernisation from the era of the Police Mobile Unit to date. A military change of command is a formal ceremony that marks the transfer of authority and responsibility of the army. This is a significant event symbolising continuity, trust, and discipline in the armed forces.

Presentation of the national and military flags usually symbolises the transfer of authority from one commander to the other. Several symbolic actions take place, like the passing of the sword from the outgoing to the incoming commander as a symbol of the transfer of authority and responsibility. The change of command ceremony serves several purposes, including continuity of leadership, the beginning of a new chapter for the army under the incoming commander's leadership, and so forth.

Who is the seventh BDF commander?

Things being equal, the decorated deputy commander Major General Joseph Seelo is a natural successor of Segokgo if it were not for his age, as he is currently 61 years old and destined to retire next year. His fate lies in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, President Duma Boko, who is also the appointing authority. The President has a choice of extending Seelo’s contract. In 2023, Seelo was inducted into the prestigious military honour at the United States Army War College (USAWC) African Alumni Symposium. He was the second BDF senior officer, after retired Fisher, to be inducted into the USAWC International Fellows Hall of Fame. So his fate is in the hands of Boko.

Another high contender is Major General Mpho Mophuting, formerly the army deputy commander, whose stay in the barracks was cut short when he was appointed to the Foreign Service. Mophuting has been weaned from the army for two years now and is currently the resident Ambassador in the US. Besides his military credentials, Mophuting has an age advantage as he is estimated to be in his late 50s. If that’s true, Mophuting would most likely be roped in to take the military top job. The President has the prerogative to appoint whoever he deems fit to lead the army. However, political decisions should not upset military expectations. The military hasn’t experienced political interference, as the army is a sensitive area.

The Botswana military has incessantly received international accolades for its participation in international peacekeeping missions through interventions in SADC (Operation Boleas), UN peacekeeping missions (UNOSOM, including domestic missions.

Retired army commander, Galebotswe, describes the change of command event as a military prestigious event that is deeply embedded in military culture. “It’s a culture of how the army executes its functions,” he told Mmegi. He says the whole exercise symbolises how the army takes every step of command seriously.

“Look, when there is change, people are excited. A new command might mean a new philosophy by a new leader.” The military personnel are already accustomed to the change of command, and when it happens, they embrace it. It’s a new era that brings new ideas and all that.

“Change in most cases is going to be incremental. At the end of the day, it’s teamwork that wins. The coming in of a new commander excites the army with hope for good things.” Galebotswe adds that the event is a time the military reflects and hopes for better things in the future.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday witnessed a historic change of command as Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke formally assumed office as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), as reported in the Nigerian media yesterday

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja, AVM Aneke described his appointment as “a tremendous privilege and a solemn duty,” pledging to lead the Air Force with humility, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

The new Air Chief paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, for his “exceptional leadership, professionalism, and courage” in steering the NAF through critical phases of the nation’s fight against terrorism and insecurity. He lauded Abubakar’s legacy of excellence and service, assuring that he would consolidate on the solid foundation already laid.