Opposition wanted Khama to resign from BDF and join politics � CIA
Oarabile Mosikare | Thursday January 19, 2017 18:00
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.
“Another factor influencing Khama’s strategy could be the retirement plans of General Merafhe. If Merafhe were to retire prior to Khama’s political debut, or appointed Minister of Defence - … Khama would probably delay his entry into the political arena in the hope of becoming the top military commander.”
It was claimed that Merafhe was aware of Khama’s desire to replace him and decided to delay his retirement as along as possible. “Moreover, we believe Masire would only reluctantly allow Khama to assume command of the military. Should Khama be passed over for the military position, we doubt that his embarrassment and frustration would translate into a destabilising political struggle, especially if elections had just taken place. In our view, Khama would more likely begin in earnest to develop political support for a challenge in a future election.”
A nagging concern for Masire was the political future of Ian Khama, according to the files. A sanitised copy of the files revealed that Khama’s political plans were subject of intense speculations within Botswana and a source of considerable consternation to Masire. Khama, the son of the late president Sir Seretse Khama, in addition to carrying the family name also is the paramount chief of the Bamangwato.
“Since 1981, Khama has made no secret of his desire to enter politics, and most observers are convinced that his ultimate goal is the presidency,” read the file.
It continued: “A major impediment to Khama’s political aspiration, however is a constitutional amendment – sponsored, ironically, by his father – that makes a tribal chief ineligible for political office until five years after relinquishing his tribal position… the constitutional issue was raised by Masire in January 1983 when Khama discussed his possible resignation from the military and his desire to become a BDP candidate for the National Assembly”.
In addition to the constitutional hurdles, it said Khama had personal liabilities that they believed could potentially inhibit his support among traditional elements of Botswana society. “He is of mixed race – Lady Ruth is a white Englishwoman – and he does not speak Setswana, the traditional language of most Batswana.”