UDC petitions Sweden over Botswana�s arms race

In a strongly worded 10-page petition titled ‘Botswana’s arms race in the midst of poverty, massive unemployment and social inequality’, signed May 30, 2017, Boko says as the current regime is left with barely two years to the next general elections, it is committing the country to such spending which is both irresponsible and immoral. “With the next elections in 2019, and President Ian Khama in the last few months of his last term in office and due to retire on March 3l, 2018, even the mandate on which this unjustifiable military spending is pursued is highly weak and suspect,” Boko writes.

He pleads that no Swedish company should associate itself with or participate in such grievous impropriety. He also appeals to the conscience of the Swedish government and the sense of rectitude of the Swedish people. He then started giving the brief history about Botswana. He says it must be noted that because of its very humble beginning, ever since its independence Botswana has devoted its very meagre resources to the development of the country’s infrastructure. This was in order to increase the standard of living and social welfare of its citizens.