Editing Botswana (section)

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Botswana|Government of Botswana}}
[[File:Duma Boko 2025 (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|[[Duma Boko]] has been the [[President of Botswana]] since 2024.]]Botswana is a [[parliamentary republic]] governed by the [[Constitution of Botswana]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last1=Sebudubudu |first1=David |last2=Maripe |first2=Bugalo |last3=Botlhomilwe |first3=Mokganedi Z. |last4=Malila |first4=Ikanyeng S. |date=2013 |title=The Mutation of Parliament into a "Registration Chamber": Executive Dominance over the Legislature in Botswana |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45341655 |journal=The African Review: A Journal of African Politics, Development and International Affairs |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=33–59 |issn=0856-0056 |jstor=45341655 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114024512/https://www.jstor.org/stable/45341655 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the longest uninterrupted democracy in Africa.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Sebudubudu |first1=David |last2=Bodilenyane |first2=Keratilwe |last3=Kwerepe |first3=Phana |date=2016 |title=The Politics of Opposition Electoral Coalitions and Alliances in Botswana |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45342124 |journal=The African Review: A Journal of African Politics, Development and International Affairs |volume=43 |issue=1 |pages=1–26 |issn=0856-0056 |jstor=45342124 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013182227/https://www.jstor.org/stable/45342124 |url-status=live }}</ref> Its seat of government is in [[Gaborone]].<ref name=":15">{{Citation |title=Botswana |date=2023-09-25 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/#government |work=The World Factbook |access-date=2023-09-28 |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208191649/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/#government |url-status=live }}</ref> Botswana's governing institutions were established after it became an independent nation in 1966. Botswana's governmental structure is based on both the United Kingdom's [[Westminster system]] and the Tswana people's tribal governments.<ref name=":02" /> Botswana has a [[centralised government]] in which national law supersedes local law.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |last1=Mooketsane |first1=K. |last2=Bodilenyane |first2=K. |last3=Motshekgwa |first3=B. |date=2017 |title=Is decentralisation in Botswana a democratic fallacy? |url=https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC-6a061f80d |journal=African Journal of Public Affairs |volume=9 |issue=5 |pages=47–60 |hdl=10520/EJC-6a061f80d |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175122/https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC-6a061f80d |url-status=live }}</ref> Local laws are developed by local councils and district councils.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last=Sharma |first=Keshav C. |date=2020-08-23 |title=Role of local government in Botswana for effective service delivery: Challenges, prospects and lessons |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.928945225837497 |journal=Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance |issue=7 |pages=135–142 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175124/https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.928945225837497 |url-status=live }}</ref> They are heavily influenced by tribal governments, which are led by the tribe's chief.<ref name=":8" />

The [[Parliament of Botswana]] consists of the President and the [[National Assembly]], which serves as the nation's formal and sole legislature, while the ''[[Ntlo ya Dikgosi]]'' serves an advisory body made up of tribal chiefs and other appointed members.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Norton |first=Philip |date=2004-12-21 |title=How many bicameral legislatures are there? |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/1357233042000322436 |journal=The Journal of Legislative Studies |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=1–9 |doi=10.1080/1357233042000322436 |issn=1357-2334 |s2cid=143950774 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175124/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1357233042000322436 |url-status=live }}</ref> Botswana's executive branch is led by the [[President of Botswana]], who serves as both the [[head of state]] and [[head of government]].<ref name=":02" /> The members of parliament choose the president,<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal |last1=Botlhale |first1=Emmanuel |last2=Lotshwao |first2=Kebapetse |date=2013 |title=The Uneasy Relationship Between Parliament and the Executive in Botswana |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/90024373 |journal=Botswana Notes and Records |volume=45 |pages=39–51 |issn=0525-5090 |jstor=90024373 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213145751/https://www.jstor.org/stable/90024373 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the president then appoints the [[Vice-President of Botswana|vice-president]] and [[Cabinet of Botswana|cabinet]] members.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last1=Beaulier |first1=Scott A. |last2=Subrick |first2=J. Robert |date=2006 |title=The Political Foundations of Development: The Case of Botswana |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10602-006-0002-x |journal=Constitutional Political Economy |language=en |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=103–115 |doi=10.1007/s10602-006-0002-x |issn=1043-4062 |s2cid=59354401 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175127/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10602-006-0002-x |url-status=live }}</ref> The president has significant power in Botswana, and the legislature has little power to [[Separation of powers|check]] the president once appointed.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14">{{Cite journal |last1=Mogalakwe |first1=Monageng |last2=Nyamnjoh |first2=Francis |date=2017-01-02 |title=Botswana at 50: democratic deficit, elite corruption and poverty in the midst of plenty |journal=Journal of Contemporary African Studies |language=en |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=1–14 |doi=10.1080/02589001.2017.1286636 |issn=0258-9001|doi-access=free }}</ref> The judiciary includes the [[High Court of Botswana]], the Court of Appeal and Magistrates' Courts.<ref name="hierarchy">{{Cite web |title=The Hierarchy of the Courts |url=http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Administration-of-Justice-AOJ/About-AOJ1/The-Hierarchy-of-the-Courts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218013129/http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Administration-of-Justice-AOJ/About-AOJ1/The-Hierarchy-of-the-Courts/ |archive-date=18 February 2011 |website=Government of Botswana}}</ref> Cases are often settled by customary courts with tribal chiefs presiding.<ref name=":8" />

[[Elections in Botswana]] are held every five years and overseen by the [[Independent Electoral Commission (Botswana)|Independent Electoral Commission]] (IEC).<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Mogalakwe |first=Monageng |date=2015-01-02 |title=An assessment of Botswana's electoral management body to deliver fair elections |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/02589001.2015.1021210 |journal=Journal of Contemporary African Studies |volume=33 |issue=1 |pages=105–120 |doi=10.1080/02589001.2015.1021210 |issn=0258-9001 |s2cid=154949350 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175731/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02589001.2015.1021210 |url-status=live }}</ref> Botswana operates a [[multi-party system]] in which [[List of political parties in Botswana|many political parties]] compete in elections.<ref name=":3" /> It was a [[dominant-party]] state in which the [[Botswana Democratic Party]] had ruled with a majority government from independence in 1966 to 2024.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.africaportal.org/publications/political-parties-in-botswana/ |title=Political Parties in Botswana |last=Somolekae |first=Gloria |date=2005-01-01 |publisher=Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa |page=6 |access-date=2022-11-14 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601230322/https://www.africaportal.org/publications/political-parties-in-botswana/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Sfn|Hillbom|Bolt|2018|p=74}} The nation's elections are recognized as [[free and fair]], but the ruling party has institutional advantages that other parties do not.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Sebudubudu |first1=David |last2=Botlhomilwe |first2=Mokganedi Zara |date=2010 |title=The management of elections: the case of Botswana |url=https://journals.co.za/doi/10.10520/EJC88240 |journal=Politeia |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=65–77 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175631/https://journals.co.za/doi/10.10520/EJC88240 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Political faction|Factionalism]] is common within Botswana's political parties, and several groups have formed new parties by splitting from established ones.<ref name=":3" /> Since 2019, the [[Umbrella for Democratic Change]] has operated as a coalition of opposition parties.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-03 |title=Botswana opposition groups unite to challenge ruling BDP |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-botswana-politics-idUSKBN15I2JN |access-date=2022-11-14 |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114062454/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-botswana-politics-idUSKBN15I2JN |url-status=live }}</ref> The most recent election was held [[2024 Botswana general election|in 2024]], with the Botswana Democratic Party losing its majority for the first time in history, ending its 58-year rule over the country. The election saw [[Duma Boko]] being elected as president.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Botswana election: Duma Boko – the politician who did the unthinkable |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yx5nk1l0o |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=www.bbc.com |date=November 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In Botswana's early years, its politics were managed by President [[Seretse Khama]] and vice-president (later president) [[Quett Masire]].{{Sfn|Leith|2005|p=58}} Since the [[Kgabo Commission]] in 1991, factionalism and political rivalries have dominated Botswana politics. The [[Botswana Democratic Party#History|Barata-Phathi]] faction was led by [[Peter Mmusi]], [[Daniel Kwelagobe]] and [[Ponatshego Kedikilwe]], while the [[Botswana Democratic Party#History|A Team]] faction was led by [[Mompati Merafhe]] and Jacob Nkate.<ref name="Ntuane">{{Cite journal |last=Ntuane |first=Botsalo |date=2018 |title=President Festus Mogae: The Regent Who Became King |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/90026925 |journal=Botswana Notes and Records |volume=50 |pages=333–338 |jstor=90026925 |issn=0525-5090 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003120411/https://www.jstor.org/stable/90026925 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite journal |last1=Lotshwao |first1=Kebapetse |last2=Suping |first2=Kekgaoditse |date=2013 |title=The 2010 split of the Botswana Democratic Party |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310771824 |journal=Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=343–360 |access-date=23 January 2024 |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175735/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310771824_The_2010_split_of_the_Botswana_Democratic_Party |url-status=live }}</ref> When [[Festus Mogae]] and [[Ian Khama]] became president and vice-president, respectively, they aligned with the A Team. Khama effectively expelled the A Team from the party in 2010 after he became president.<ref name=":16" /> A new rivalry formed in 2018 when Khama's chosen successor, Mokgweetsi Masisi, became president. He opposed Khama, and the two formed a political rivalry that continues to loom over Batswana politics in the 2020s.<ref name=":17">{{Cite journal |last1=Seabo |first1=Batlang |last2=Nyenhuis |first2=Robert |date=2021 |title=Botswana's 2019 General Elections: A Referendum on General Ian Khama |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S000202062100069X/type/journal_article |journal=African Studies Review |language=en |volume=64 |issue=4 |pages=854–883 |doi=10.1017/asr.2021.69 |issn=0002-0206 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175647/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/african-studies-review/article/abs/botswanas-2019-general-elections-a-referendum-on-general-ian-khama/025D7A45D5F26B1A8045E91529DCAAB5 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Botswana was ranked as a "flawed democracy" and 33rd out of 167 states in the 2023 [[Democracy Index (The Economist)]], which was the second-highest rating in Africa, and the highest ranking in continental Africa (only the offshore island nation of [[Mauritius]] bested its ranking).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index 2023 |url=https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2023/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Economist Intelligence Unit |language=en-GB |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214215250/https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, according to the 2024 [[V-Dem Democracy Indices]], Botswana has been experiencing an episode of [[democratic backsliding]] over the past 10 years, recording its lowest ever score on the indices. The indices classify Botswana as an electoral democracy in a 'grey zone' between electoral democracy and [[electoral autocracy]]. Furthermore, they show that Botswana lost its status as a "liberal democracy" in 2021, with its liberal, participatory and deliberative components decreasing "at a statistically significant level", with the latter component being noted as becoming "significantly worse".<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=V-Dem Democracy Index |url=https://www.v-dem.net/documents/44/v-dem_dr2024_highres.pdf |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=V-Dem |pages=14, 16, 21, 28|archive-date=7 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307211425/https://www.v-dem.net/documents/44/v-dem_dr2024_highres.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2023 [[Transparency International]] [[Corruption Index]] ranks Botswana is the third-least corrupt country in Africa, just below [[Cape Verde]] and the [[Seychelles]].<ref>Transparency International [https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204001659/https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023|date=4 February 2023}}. Retrieved 12 April 2024.</ref> Botswana is also a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Member countries |url=https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Commonwealth |language=en |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031175159/https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Foreign relations and military===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Botswana|Botswana Defence Force}}
[[File:Botswanatroopsboardplane.png|thumb|Botswana soldiers board a [[Botswana Defence Force]] plane to Mozambique in July 2021.]]
At the time of independence, Botswana had no armed forces. It was only after the [[Rhodesia]]n and [[South African Army|South African armies]] attacked the [[Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army]] and [[Umkhonto we Sizwe]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-20-mn-6620-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Michael | last=Parks | title=S. Africa Raids 3 Nearby Nations : Attacks Rebel Bases in Capitals of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana | date=20 May 1986 | access-date=24 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111150242/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-05-20/news/mn-6620_1_african-national-congress | archive-date=11 January 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> bases respectively that the [[Botswana Defence Force]] (BDF) was formed in 1977.<ref>[http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/State-President/Botswana-Defence-Force-BDF/About-the-BDF1/History-of-the-BDF/ Republic of Botswana – Government portal] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162757/http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/State-President/Botswana-Defence-Force-BDF/About-the-BDF1/History-of-the-BDF/ |date=6 July 2011 }}. Gov.bw. Retrieved on 27 October 2016.</ref> The president is [[commander-in-chief]] of the armed forces and appoints a defence council. In 2019, Botswana signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=4 June 2024 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following political changes in South Africa and the region, the BDF's missions have increasingly focused on preventing [[poaching]], [[Emergency management|preparing for disasters]], and supporting foreign [[peacekeeping]]. The United States has been the largest single foreign contributor to the development of the [[Botswana Defence Force|BDF]], and a large segment of its officer corps have received U.S. training. The Botswana government gave the United States permission to explore the possibility of establishing an Africa Command ([[AFRICOM]]) base in the country.<ref>Pounds, Lance (14 December 2015) [http://www.africom.mil/media-room/article/27819/botswana-defence-force-u-s-army-leaders-meet-in-europe Botswana Defence Force, U.S. Army Leaders Meet in Europe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718193102/http://www.africom.mil/media-room/article/27819/botswana-defence-force-u-s-army-leaders-meet-in-europe |date=18 July 2017 }}. U.S. Army Africa</ref>

Botswana is the 50th most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 [[Global Peace Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref>

===Human rights===
{{Main|Human rights in Botswana}}The [[Botswana Centre for Human Rights]], Ditshwanelo, was established in 1993.<ref>"[http://www.ditshwanelo.org.bw/ Ditshwanelo Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218204716/http://www.ditshwanelo.org.bw/|date=18 February 2018}}"</ref> Until June 2019, [[LGBT rights in Botswana|homosexual acts]] were illegal in Botswana. A Botswana High Court decision of 11 June of that year struck down provisions in the Criminal Code that punished "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature" and "acts of gross indecency", making Botswana one of 22 African countries that have either [[decriminalised]] or [[legalised]] homosexual acts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Kara |title=Botswana scraps gay sex laws in big victory for LGBTQ rights in Africa |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/11/africa/botswana-lgbtq-ruling-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611111110/https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/11/africa/botswana-lgbtq-ruling-intl/index.html |archive-date=11 June 2019 |access-date=11 June 2019 |website=CNN}}</ref> [[Capital punishment in Botswana|Capital punishment]] is a legal penalty for murder in Botswana, and executions are carried out by hanging.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tshosa |first=Onkemetse |date=25 May 2021 |title=THE DEATH PENALTY IN BOTSWANA IN THE LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE CASE FOR ABOLITION |url=https://www.biicl.org/files/2216_tshosa_death_penalty_botswana.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525162623/https://www.biicl.org/files/2216_tshosa_death_penalty_botswana.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2021 |access-date=25 May 2021 |page=3}}</ref>[[File:Bosquimanos-Grassland Bushmen Lodge, Botswana 04.jpg|thumb|Mosarwa (San) Man]]

==== San and other indigenous tribes ====
Many of the indigenous [[San people]] have been forcibly relocated from their land to reservations. To make them relocate, they were denied access to water on their land and faced arrest if they hunted, which was their primary source of food.<ref name="bbc1">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-24821867 |title=Botswana bushmen: Modern life is destroying us |work=BBC News |access-date=24 July 2016 |date=7 January 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160325015238/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-24821867 |archive-date=25 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Their lands lie in the middle of the world's richest [[diamond]] field. Officially, the government denies that there is any link to mining, claiming the relocation is to preserve the wildlife and ecosystem, even though the San people have lived sustainably on the land for millennia.<ref name="bbc1" /> On the reservations, they struggle to find employment, and [[alcoholism]] is rampant.<ref name="bbc1" />

On 24 August 2018, the [[UN Special Rapporteur on Minorities]], Fernand de Varennes, issued a statement calling on Botswana "to step up efforts to recognise and protect the rights of minorities in relation to public services, land and resource use, and the use of [[minority language]]s in education and other critical areas."<ref name="hrminorities">{{cite news |title=Botswana minorities need boost in education and health care, says UN expert urging Bill of Right |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2018/08/botswana-minorities-need-boost-education-and-health-care-says-un-expert#:~:text=GENEVA%20%2F%20GABORONE%20(24%20August%202018,on%20Minorities%2C%20Fernand%20de%20Varennes. |access-date=12 April 2024 |agency=United Nations |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604175645/https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2018/08/botswana-minorities-need-boost-education-and-health-care-says-un-expert#:~:text=GENEVA%20%2F%20GABORONE%20(24%20August%202018,on%20Minorities%2C%20Fernand%20de%20Varennes. |url-status=live }}</ref>