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Khama absence likely to affect BPF

Khama recently stated that he is contemplating to apply for asylum in SA
Khama recently stated that he is contemplating to apply for asylum in SA

FRANCISTOWN: The absence of former president Ian Khama in Botswana is likely to affect the performance of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) in the 2024 general election, according to the University of Botswana (UB) political observers.

The Khama family is currently spooked by the regime of President Mokgweetsi Masisi to the point that some of them including the former president are in self-imposed exile in South Africa (SA).

The Botswana government has also recently said in court where Ian was supposed to appear but did not do so since criminal charges were levelled against him that it will apply for him to be extradited from SA to face a battery of criminal offences back home. In this whole jittery situation, two prominent protagonists who were once bosom political allies, Ian and Masisi, feature prominently. Ian, his younger brother who is a legislator, Tshekedi Khama and their other family members are currently living in South Africa (SA) because they say that they fear being persecuted by the Masisi government.

Editor's Comment
Gov't, unions must find common ground

The situation is exacerbated by the ruling party’s admission that some of its most important election promises remain unfulfilled. This is not the change many Batswana had expected. The UDC was elected into power on a strong promise to improve lives, create jobs, protect workers and repair public services. It is therefore, not enough for the party to point only to new ministries, policies and long-term plans. These may be necessary, but...

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