Botswana: President's Bid to Name Brother as VP Stopped

IRIN
President Ian Khama of Botswana (file photo).
12 November 2014
allAfrica.com
By Andre van Wyk

Cape Town — National leader Ian Khama's attempt to appoint his brother as vice president of the country has been blocked by a High Court ruling, the SABC says.

The move had prompted a backlash by parliamentarians, who accused the president of wanting to establish a dynasty, Agence France-Presse reported. The court decision was welcomed by the executive, who said in a statement: "Government accepts that the matter has been resolved and wishes to assure the public that it will respect and fully implement the decision of the court".

Fears of reprisal were made by Botswana Editors' Forum chairperson Spencer Mogape, who told the SABC: "The serious possibility is that if he does not get what he wants or who he wants as a vice president, he may still dissolve Parliament - that is our fear."

President Khama was re-elected for a second term after winning Botswana's general elections in October.

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