The Presidency of General Ian Khama: The Militarization of the Botswana 'Miracle'

Abstract

Sincethesuccessionof Lieutenant-General Ian Khama to the presidency in April 2008, an escalation in the militarization and personalization of power in Botswana has taken place. Repressive agencies have been operationalized, military personnel have entered government in increased number, an informal coterie of advisers has come into being around Khama, and a spate of accusations of extra-judicial killings by state agents have been made. Governance and democracy are thus seriously undermined in what is conventionally represented as an African success, and this briefing details recent events which are threatening the rule of law, peace, and human rights in Botswana. The Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) was established, in the words of the enabling act of 2006, to combat ‘any foreign influenced activity’ and ‘subversive activities from the country’s detractors’. Its officers could use firearms when ‘necessary and reasonably justifiable’. They had wide powers of arrest, seizure and detention without warrant. Their powers were undefined and threatening – Section 36, for example, provided that ‘when a person is guilty of an offence for which no specific penalty is provided . . . that person shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years’ (and, as it recently emerged, agents possessed immunity when operating). Its personnel are appointed on terms and conditions chosen by the President.1 It was also well funded, being initially expected to get the bulk of the P3 billion given to the Office of the President in early 2008.2 The existence and role of the DIS is closely identified with President Khama.