23 December 2008
analysis
There should be no competition. The year 2008 will be remembered globally as the year in which the only surviving super-power voted into office, Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Unless the current financial recession degenerates into a major depression the Obama election will pale all the other events into insignificance. Obama's election is historic owing to the fact that he is the first minority -read black- to be elected to the oval office.
Given the chequered political history of slavery and the uneasy race relations in the United States, this is a major achievement that has the potential to significantly improve race relations, not only in the US, but around the world.
In Botswana the peaceful transfer of power from former President, Festus Mogae to Lieutenant General Ian Khama, is an event that underscored the virtues of Botswana's democracy, demonstrating that its political leadership periodically subjects itself to the limits of the constitution.
At a time when the rest of Africa is engaged in senseless presidential third terms, Botswana showed the way. This should be celebrated.
"All the success we have registered is on account of our adherence to democratic ideals. Nothing should be allowed to derail us from this path. There is no substitute for it. I believe that Botswana recognises that only democracy can create the most favourable conditions to ensure that our aspirations are fulfilled.
"I am a democrat. I have always believed in democratic ideals and I joined the military to defend this democracy. I consider myself an integral part of this system of governance that has become entrenched in the life of Batswana."
This was President Khama's promise on the day that he came to power. In his inaugural speech, he had Batswana and the world spellbound as he validated the time held belief that Botswana's democracy is deeply entrenched.
If anyone doubted President Khama's credentials as a democrat, they were disarmed if not completely smitten.
However, any mature adult knows that a nation's commitment to an ideal such as democracy can never be measured by a speech; a speech made on inauguration day.
Inspite of President Khama's hallowed plaudits on himself as a democrat, history will show that in his first few months in office, Botswana's democracy took a battering from a systematic design to gird democratic institutions and introduce controls effectively limiting civil liberties.
Khama's modus operandi is to deflect attention by introducing some meaningless innovations while at the same time nibbling away at civil liberties while he hogs the limelight, sitting at an inconsequential fireside with old folk, and occasionally pressing his suits against the flesh of gullible members of the public.
Khama on alcohol
Even during his days in the army, Khama had a reputation as a general who abhorred the imbibing of the frothy waters. It was no surprise that when he came to power he put alcoholism at the very top of his list of priorities.
His war on alcoholism was in phases. First, without consultation, he introduced limited hours of operation of bars, restaurants, clubs and even entertainment activities such as festivals. At first, the liquor industry resisted and lobbied civil society including, members of Parliament.
Specially elected MP, Botsalo Ntuane, took the cudgels and tried to show the pitfalls of Khama's strategy of beating into submission anyone who differed with his views. Ntuane met the full wrath of Khama's misplaced vengeance as he was ordered to publicly apologise for his 'heretic' views by daring to challenge the BDP oracle.
After silencing Ntuane, Khama went on to announce a hefty 70percent levy on alcohol, again without consulting anyone including the liquor industry.
The liquor industry resisted and took the matter to court and succeeded to restrain Khama's government to implement the envisaged levy. On the eve of the hearing, there was reportedly some arm twisting and as usual Khama had his way and the 30percent alcohol levy was imposed.
Of course, the majority of the public are equally worried about the cancerous alcoholism that has the potential to erode the nation's social fabric. But in trying to ingratiate himself to the community as a saviour President, Khama rides roughshod on the established traditions and democratic values of consultation and concession even when he fights on the corner of goodwill on issues such as alcoholism.
The advent of DISS
The same day that Khama ascended to power, the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services came to life. This made pointers to how Khama wanted to run government.
Prior to the promulgation of the security bill there were fears that this agency could be used to get even with enemies and those that are perceived to be enemies of those in power. Unions, opposition, media and other social commentators said they feared that this agency could be used to spy on them rather than on the real enemies of Batswana. Seven months into existence the DISS has not disproved these fears.
To the contrary, the agency has given every indication that it is indeed a battery of sleuths that could be used to serve an individual rather than the national interest. Except in a few instances where it is engaged in role conflict with the police and the DCEC, the agency is hogging publicity for the wrong reasons.
It is involved in torture of civilians and even members of the security forces. There is a growing disquiet amongst some marginalised members of the ruling BDP, the opposition, media, union leaders and some other community activists that this agency is wasting precious human resources to spy on them as they engage in innocuous daily activities.
Registration of SIM cards
Under the pretext of protecting the nation, Khama's administration seems to know no bounds in invading the public's privacy and using fear as a tool. Like the United States government that came up with such invasive laws such as the Patriot Act after the tragic events of September 11, and preying on people's insecurities after the terrorism acts, Khama seems to have borrowed heavily from such opaque and undemocratic tendencies.
While the registration of SIM cards could be used to thwart the threat of terrorism and robbery, under a vindictive leader who is also not transparent like Khama, people should have legitimate fears. Under Khama the registration of SIm cards could be a blank cheque to allow Khama's sleuths into our lives.
Media Practitioners' bill
Communications minister, Pelonomi Venson Moitoi, bears all the flak for pushing for a bill that has been kept at bay for over a decade. But Venson Moitoi is just the fall guy. On the surface, she appears to be enthusiastic, but like a quisling Venson Moitoi is just acting like a pimp doing the orders of her master.
This dictatorial bill has the footprint of Khama all over its pages. Khama has never entertained transparency of any sort. That is why his education remains a mystery.
His marriage too is mired in mystery. Like a true recluse, he has never held a press conference or addressed reporters on his thoughts or policies.
By gagging the media he believes he will be able to rule without being questioned and that he will enjoy the mysticism that he wants to create around himself.
The manner in which this bill was enacted tells a voluminous story about how Khama wants to relate to oversight institutions.
Parliament under Khama
President Khama has always had a low opinion of Parliament. As a Vice President he never used to attend parliamentary sessions. As President, he seems to have very little knowledge of what separation of powers entails. Under Khama the executive uses Parliament as something worse than a doormat.
The executive rushes bills into Parliament and they are accepted without debate as it happened with the media bill. MP Pono Moatlhodi was displaced precisely for making remarks in Parliament that did not sit right with the powerful people in power. Parliament, under Khama's administration, will be the lapdog of the National Assembly.
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