The age of Trump begins

An outspoken political maverick, Trump ran his campaign on non-conformism, the provocation and belittling of his rivals and grandiose ambitions reminiscent of the megalomaniacs who littered the global political stage in the 1930s.

For Botswana, Trump represents an ‘unknown’, a dark horse who – after eight years of engagement with the Obama administration – seems to represent a threat to the established bilateral relations. President Ian Khama made his feelings about Trump known and publicly backed the Democrat candidate, Hilary Clinton. The Presidency has been noticeably reticent since the shock result, although some representatives have sought to focus attention on ‘moving forward with relations’.