Unoziba O. Mbela-Belo
4 April 2008
column
Gaborone — The Republic of Botswana has just witnessed the inauguration of Retired Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama as the country's fourth President.
Without trying to provoke a backlash from Khama loyalists, or an unwarranted victimisation by an 'assignment-hungry' Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services, I duly offer my sentiments as a Democrat and citizen of Botswana.
While congratulatory messages have been accorded the retired 'three star' General by sympathisers throughout the period leading to his inauguration, I have spent time trying to come to terms with this unprecedented militarisation of the state apparatus. Soon after taking his oath of office, General Khama made notable appointments of former military personnel to key positions in his government. Retired Lt. General Mompati Merafhe was appointed Vice President while Ret. Brigadier Dikgakgamatso Seretse was appointed Minister of State President-Justice, Defence & Security.
Other notable appointments of former Botswana Defence Force personnel include Isaac Kgosi (Directorate of Security Intelligence) & Colonel Duke Masilo (Deputy Senior Private Secretary to the President). While loyalists may naively view these appointments as a mere exercise of choice by Khama, it is my conclusion that adherents and proponents of democratic ideals have a reason to worry. The militarisation of the state apparatus presents a dangerous precedent in that it wrongfully attempts to entrench military ethics and discipline as an enviable and necessary alternative to civilian existence and productivity.
Democracy encompasses by nature, divergent views including some that the government of the day may find intimidating. Perhaps one needs to look at the doctrine or principle of 'Automatic Succession' which catapulted Ian Khama's regime to power. Unless change prevails, that particular legal instrument has the potential to destroy the democratic foundations of this nation as it has triggered in a flawed system where only members of parliament are subjected to democratic mechanisms of election to office. With the current political party in power, the President will always have the prerogative to choose his successor in the form of a Vice President. That unquestionably affords him the opportunity to groom a puppet and groom him for a regenerated legacy. That reflection is asserted with worrisome intensity by the diversion of the Presidential lineage to people with a military background. The nature of military training is such that it changes one to think in a certain (militaristic) way and also display a befitting demeanour. In fact, military trained people who take their jobs seriously are supposed to be able to notice people with similar training in any environment. That definitely sets them apart from civilian democrats (just to differentiate from the democrat that General Khama claims to be), who, in their capacity as 'free-thinkers' are more for the notion of 'unity-in-diversity'.
Hence as Khama assumes office, I am sceptical of views that seek to make the nation ignore the truth that it is ruled by a General. Or, let alone, two Generals. Although the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) may be excited that the son of the country's first President has offered a life line to the party's survival, I will not be surprised if the party that Seretse Khama led to its first victory is diminished under his offspring.
Unless otherwise manipulated, the beacon of my hope for the survival of our democracy lies in the general elections where, if Khama were to prove administratively dictatorial, the nation shall duly assert its authority over him and his 'butt-men'. We wish General Khama well and pray that his conversion to civilian life truly means we will continue to leave peacefully without Isaac Kgosi playing God over us.
After all, this is Africa and dictators have always emerged overnight.
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