Government and Politics of Botswana

Government Type

parliamentary republic

Administrative Divisions

9 districts and four town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northwest, Northeast, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern

Legal System

based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held on 30 October 2024 (next to be held in 2029); vice president appointed by the president election results: Duma BOKO elected president following his Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition's victory in the general election, ending the Botswana Democratic Party's nearly six decades in power

Legislative Branch

Botswana's Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi (formerly known as the House of Chiefs) and the National Assembly. The Ntlo ya Dikgosi is a largely advisory body comprising 33 members, including chiefs of principal tribes, elected sub-chiefs, and nominated members, and serves primarily to advise Parliament on matters related to customary law and tribal affairs. The National Assembly consists of 65 seats, with 63 members directly elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies and 2 appointed by the majority party; members serve five-year terms. Elections: National Assembly elections were last held on 30 October 2024. Election results: percent of vote by party — UDC 45.6%, BDP 19.9%, BPF 9.0%, AP 8.5%, other parties sharing remaining votes; seats by party — UDC 36, BDP 4, BPF 5, AP 4, other 14. The 2024 elections marked a historic shift, as the Botswana Democratic Party, which had governed the country since independence in 1966, was defeated for the first time, with Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change being sworn in as the new President.

Judicial Branch

High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)

Political Parties

Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Otlaadisa KOOSALETSE]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus G. MOGAE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO] note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]

Head of State

President Duma BOKO

Head of Government

President Duma BOKO

Cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

Elections

National Assembly elections were last held on 30 October 2024.

Election Results

percent of vote by party — UDC 45.6%, BDP 19.9%, BPF 9.0%, AP 8.5%, other parties sharing remaining votes; seats by party — UDC 36, BDP 4, BPF 5, AP 4, other 14. The 2024 elections marked a historic shift, as the Botswana Democratic Party, which had governed the country since independence in 1966, was defeated for the first time, with Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change being sworn in as the new President.

Constitution

March 1965, effective 30 September 1966

Independence

30 September 1966 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Katherine H. CANAVAN embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 312782

Capital City

Gaborone

Location

24 38 S, 25 54 E

Time Difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

named after GABORONE (ca. 1825-1931), a revered kgosi (chief) of the Tlokwa tribe, part of the larger Tswana ethnic group

The U.S. Embassy Gaborone is located on Embassy Drive in the Government Enclave. Mailing address: P.O. Box 90, Gaborone, Botswana Telephone: 267 395-3982 After-hours Emergency Telephone: 267 395-7111 Fax 267 318-0232

Military Branches

Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Wing Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group

Service Age and Obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription