Inside Boko’s struggle to dismantle Botswana’s deep state :: Mmegi Online

When the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) was elected into office in October 2024, it assumed control of the Executive arm of government. However, nine months later, the new administration finds its reform ambitions entangled in the complex web of a public sector it did not create. The question now is whether wielding bureaucratic power alone is enough to remake a public sector when the engine of government suffers from inertia, asks Staffer, TIMOTHY LEWANIKA

In political theorem, the deep state refers to a sect of unelected officials that run the government and dictate policy behind the scenes. In this case, the deep state refers to the entrenched, unelected machinery of government that continues to exercise significant power and influence regardless of which political party is in office.

President Duma Boko’s recent words suggest that the distinction between being in power and controlling the public sector is not imaginary. In multiple public addresses to accounting officers, parastatal heads, and government executives, Boko has repeatedly expressed concern that his administration’s vision is being stalled by the very machinery tasked with executing it.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.