Conflict History1
Conflict History1
The political history of the country has been influenced
by three main factors: its geographical location; the absence
of a significant indigenous nationalist movement prior to independence;
and the strong allegiances among the country’s eight
principal ethnic groups.
In 1885 the British government declared Bechuanaland (as it was known)
a protectorate. In 1962
Seretse Khama formed the Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP) and
with independence in 1966 he became the first president. Following
his death in 1980, Khama was succeeded as president by his vice-president,
Dr Quett Ketumile Masire, a founder of the BDP. The
national assembly renewed Masire’s presidency in 1984 and again
in 1989. In the general
election of 1994 – won by the BDP – for the first time
a strong opposition party emerged: the
Botswana National Front. Unrest
and rioting emerged in the mid-1990s over unemployment and other
social ills. President
Masire retired in 1998 and Festus Mogae was inaugurated in his place. Mogae brought Lt-Gen Seretse Ian Khama – commander of
the Botswana Defence Force – into cabinet and later promoted
him to vice-president. Divisions
within the opposition parties enabled the ruling BDP to win a decisive
victory in the 1999 general election, with Mogae being re-elected
to the presidency by the national assembly.
During the 1980s, relations with South Africa remained strained because
of the latter’s policy of regional destabilisation, during
which opposition ANC members were targeted and killed. Many
of these attacks occurred in Botswana. The
relaxation of the political climate within South Africa from 1990
onwards, led to a gradual improvement in relations between the two
countries. Full diplomatic
relations were established in 1994; and the two countries work closely
together in the SADC.
The political history of the country has been influenced
by three main factors: its geographical location; the absence
of a significant indigenous nationalist movement prior to independence;
and the strong allegiances among the country’s eight
principal ethnic groups.
In 1885 the British government declared Bechuanaland (as it was known)
a protectorate. In 1962
Seretse Khama formed the Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP) and
with independence in 1966 he became the first president. Following
his death in 1980, Khama was succeeded as president by his vice-president,
Dr Quett Ketumile Masire, a founder of the BDP. The
national assembly renewed Masire’s presidency in 1984 and again
in 1989. In the general
election of 1994 – won by the BDP – for the first time
a strong opposition party emerged: the
Botswana National Front. Unrest
and rioting emerged in the mid-1990s over unemployment and other
social ills. President
Masire retired in 1998 and Festus Mogae was inaugurated in his place. Mogae brought Lt-Gen Seretse Ian Khama – commander of
the Botswana Defence Force – into cabinet and later promoted
him to vice-president. Divisions
within the opposition parties enabled the ruling BDP to win a decisive
victory in the 1999 general election, with Mogae being re-elected
to the presidency by the national assembly.
During the 1980s, relations with South Africa remained strained because
of the latter’s policy of regional destabilisation, during
which opposition ANC members were targeted and killed. Many
of these attacks occurred in Botswana. The
relaxation of the political climate within South Africa from 1990
onwards, led to a gradual improvement in relations between the two
countries. Full diplomatic
relations were established in 1994; and the two countries work closely
together in the SADC.
Relations between Botswana and Zimbabwe (whose ideologies
are far apart) have been correct rather than friendly. The
presence of Zimbabwean refugees persistently beset relations
between the two countries throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Relations
were again strained in 2000 as instability in Zimbabwe increased.
Relations between Botswana and Zimbabwe (whose ideologies
are far apart) have been correct rather than friendly. The
presence of Zimbabwean refugees persistently beset relations
between the two countries throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Relations
were again strained in 2000 as instability in Zimbabwe increased.
In 1992 a border dispute developed between Botswana and Namibia
regarding their rival territorial claims over a small island
(Sedudu-Kasikili) in the Chobe River. In
1995 they agreed to present the case for arbitration at the
International Court of Justice. In
1999 the ICJ awarded the island to Botswana. In
1998 relations were further strained by the arrival of numbers
of refugees in Botswana from the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. Demands
by Namibia for their extradition were refused by Mogae, although
it was eventually agreed that prominent dissidents among the
refugees would be allowed to leave Botswana for a third country.
In 1992 a border dispute developed between Botswana and Namibia
regarding their rival territorial claims over a small island
(Sedudu-Kasikili) in the Chobe River. In
1995 they agreed to present the case for arbitration at the
International Court of Justice. In
1999 the ICJ awarded the island to Botswana. In
1998 relations were further strained by the arrival of numbers
of refugees in Botswana from the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. Demands
by Namibia for their extradition were refused by Mogae, although
it was eventually agreed that prominent dissidents among the
refugees would be allowed to leave Botswana for a third country.
Confirmation in 1996 that Botswana was purchasing substantial
quantities of sophisticated weaponry, as well as the completion
of a multimillion-dollar airbase 40 km from Gaborone generated
considerable unease among some of its neighbours. However
the Botswana government contended that the purchases met legitimate
defence requirements.
Confirmation in 1996 that Botswana was purchasing substantial quantities of sophisticated weaponry, as well as the completion of a multimillion-dollar airbase 40 km from Gaborone generated considerable unease among some of its neighbours. However the Botswana government contended that the purchases met legitimate defence requirements.
Security Situation2
Security Situation2
Botswana’s domestic stability is in contrast to the
turmoil amongst its neighbours in the region. Relations
with Namibia need careful management: although the crises around
the disputed island as well as an inflow of Caprivi-based refugees
were defused, an upsurge in Angolan-Namibian cross-border fighting
might spill over into Botswana in the form of refugees or even
conflict. Continued
and increasing political instability in Zimbabwe on the eve
of the presidential election of 2002 raises the spectre of
renewed flows of refugees. Relations
with South Africa is currently very strong.
Botswana’s domestic stability is in contrast to the turmoil amongst its neighbours in the region. Relations with Namibia need careful management: although the crises around the disputed island as well as an inflow of Caprivi-based refugees were defused, an upsurge in Angolan-Namibian cross-border fighting might spill over into Botswana in the form of refugees or even conflict. Continued and increasing political instability in Zimbabwe on the eve of the presidential election of 2002 raises the spectre of renewed flows of refugees. Relations with South Africa is currently very strong.
Security-Related Budget3
Security-Related Budget3
The defence budget is stable at US$221 million for both 2000
and 2001. Defence spending in 2000 amounted to US$249 million. Military
spending is high as a proportion of total expenditure (8%).4
The defence budget is stable at US$221 million for both 2000 and 2001. Defence spending in 2000 amounted to US$249 million. Military spending is high as a proportion of total expenditure (8%).4
Political Oversight
Political Oversight
- President Mogae is commander-in-chief of the armed forces
- Vice-president: Lt-Gen Seretse Ian Khama
- Minister of Foreign Affairs: Lt-Gen Mompati Merafhe
- Commander of the Botswana Defence Force: Major-Gen Matshenwenyego Louis-Fisher
International Treaties/Protocols/Alliances5
International Treaties/Protocols/Alliances5
Botswana belongs to the ADF, AfDB, BADEA, CCC, CWTH, EIB, Intelsat, Interpol,
NAAM, OAU and SADC
Forces Deployed Outside the Country6
In 1999 Botswana withdrew its contingent from Lesotho as the
situation was thought to be sufficiently stable not to require
their presence. Some
380 BDF soldiers formed part of a SADC task force to quell an
internal uprising in Lesotho in 1998.
In 1999 Botswana withdrew its contingent from Lesotho as the situation was thought to be sufficiently stable not to require their presence. Some 380 BDF soldiers formed part of a SADC task force to quell an internal uprising in Lesotho in 1998.
Botswana Defence Force
Botswana Defence Force
Senior Personnel
Senior Personnel
Commander of the Botswana Defence Force: Major-Gen Matshenwenyego
Louis-Fisher
Commander of the Botswana Defence Force: Major-Gen Matshenwenyego Louis-Fisher
Structure
Structure
The Defence Force consists of an army and air force component. The
country is land-locked and there is no navy. The
Armed Forces Chief of Staff reports directly to ?. The
8500-strong army is organised in two brigades.
The Defence Force consists of an army and air force component. The country is land-locked and there is no navy. The Armed Forces Chief of Staff reports directly to ?. The 8500-strong army is organised in two brigades.
Bases
Bases
Defence Budget
Defence Budget
The defence budget is stable at US$221 million for both 2000
and 2001. Defence spending in 2000 amounted to US$249 million. Military
spending is high as a proportion of total expenditure (8%).7
The defence budget is stable at US$221 million for both 2000 and 2001. Defence spending in 2000 amounted to US$249 million. Military spending is high as a proportion of total expenditure (8%).7
Strength8
Strength8
There is a long-term plan to increase the size of the army
from 8500 to 10000.
There is a long-term plan to increase the size of the army from 8500 to 10000.
Composition
Composition
The army consists of one armed brigade, two infantry brigades,
four infantry battalions, two armed artillery, one engineer regiment
and one commando regiment.
The army consists of one armed brigade, two infantry brigades, four infantry battalions, two armed artillery, one engineer regiment and one commando regiment.
Training
IMET (International Military Education and Training) funds
from the USA remain important to Botswana’s officer training
programme. Over 30 Botswana officers receive military training in the
US each year; by 1999 approximately 85 percent of the BDF officers
is said to have been trained under this system.
Defence Equipment: 2001
Type
Detail
Number
Army
Scorpion (incl variants)
Light Tank
36
SK-105 Kuerassier
Light Tank
50
V-150 Commando
Recoinnance
12
BTR-60
APC
30
Spartan
APC
6
RAM-V-2
APC
e8
L-118
Towed artillery (105 mm)
12
Model 56 pack
Towed artillery (105 mm)
6
Soltam (reported)
Towed Artillery (155 mm)
Mortar (81 mm)
12
M-43
Mortar (120 mm)
6
TOW
ATGW
6
Carl Gustav
RCL 84 mm
30
M-167
Air Defence Gun 20 mm
7
SA-7
SAM
12
SA-16
SAM
10
Javelin
SAM
6
Air Wing
F-5A
Fighter Aircraft
10
F-5B
Fighter Aircraft
3
CN-235
Transport
2
Skyvan 3M
Transport
2
Bae 125-800
Transport
1
C-130
Transport
3
CN-212
VIP Transport
2
Gulfstream IV
Transport
1
BN-2 Defender
Transport
10
Cessna 152
Trainer
2
PC-7
Trainer
10
AS-350B
Helicopter
4
Bell 412
Helicopter
5
Training
IMET (International Military Education and Training) funds from the USA remain important to Botswana’s officer training programme. Over 30 Botswana officers receive military training in the US each year; by 1999 approximately 85 percent of the BDF officers is said to have been trained under this system.
Defence Equipment: 2001
Type |
Detail |
Number |
Army |
|
|
Scorpion (incl variants) |
Light Tank |
36 |
SK-105 Kuerassier |
Light Tank |
50 |
V-150 Commando |
Recoinnance |
12 |
BTR-60 |
APC |
30 |
Spartan |
APC |
6 |
RAM-V-2 |
APC |
e8 |
L-118 |
Towed artillery (105 mm) |
12 |
Model 56 pack |
Towed artillery (105 mm) |
6 |
Soltam (reported) |
Towed Artillery (155 mm) |
|
|
|
Mortar (81 mm) |
12 |
M-43 |
Mortar (120 mm) |
6 |
TOW |
ATGW |
6 |
Carl Gustav |
RCL 84 mm |
30 |
M-167 |
Air Defence Gun 20 mm |
7 |
SA-7 |
SAM |
12 |
SA-16 |
SAM |
10 |
Javelin |
SAM |
6 |
Air Wing |
|
|
F-5A |
Fighter Aircraft |
10 |
F-5B |
Fighter Aircraft |
3 |
CN-235 |
Transport |
2 |
Skyvan 3M |
Transport |
2 |
Bae 125-800 |
Transport |
1 |
C-130 |
Transport |
3 |
CN-212 |
VIP Transport |
2 |
Gulfstream IV |
Transport |
1 |
BN-2 Defender |
Transport |
10 |
Cessna 152 |
Trainer |
2 |
PC-7 |
Trainer |
10 |
AS-350B |
Helicopter |
4 |
Bell 412 |
Helicopter |
5 |
Latest Procurement
Latest Procurement
Rebel Forces
Rebel Forces
None
- Africa South of the Sahara 2001; Countries of the World
- EIU Country Profile 2000
- Military Balance 2001-2002, IISS
- EIU Country Profile 2000
- Stateman’s Yearbook 2002
- Jane’s World Armies, Issue Seven
- EIU Country Profile 2000
- Ibid
None
- Africa South of the Sahara 2001; Countries of the World
- EIU Country Profile 2000
- Military Balance 2001-2002, IISS
- EIU Country Profile 2000
- Stateman’s Yearbook 2002
- Jane’s World Armies, Issue Seven
- EIU Country Profile 2000
- Ibid
