Botswana

Economics

Politics

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party, or BDP, conceded defeat in the country’s Oct. 30 general election, Reuters reported on Nov. 1.

Botswana: Partial Results Show Ruling BDP Crushed in General Election

Mozambique

Energy

Military & Security

Botswana completed the withdrawal of its military contingent from Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province on April 5, Zitamar News reported on April 9.

Mozambique: Botswana Completes Troop Withdrawal From Cabo Delgado 

Old Leaders in a New Africa

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

The ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won 51 percent of the vote in Botswana's Oct. 23 general election, securing 29 of the 57 total seats in the country's National Assembly, Al Jazeera reported Oct. 25. 

Botswana: Ruling Party Wins General Election

Ian Khama stepped down as president of Botswana on March 31, handing the country to his deputy, Mokgweetsi Masisi, after a decade at the helm, Reuters reported.

Botswana: President Leaves Office After Decade In Power

Lesotho

South Africa

The Southern African Development Community halted its activities in Lesotho over a disagreement over the death of former Gen. Maaparankoe Mahao, News24 reported Jan. 19.

Lesotho: South African Development Community Suspends Activities

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After two weeks of negotiations, representatives of nearly 200 countries have approved the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit the extent of climate change in the coming decades, The Telegraph reported Dec. 12.

France: Delegates Approve Paris Climate Change Deal

President Ian Khama's Botswana Democratic Party won 33 of 57 parliamentary seats Oct. 26, which will give Khama another five-year term, RIA Novosti reported.

Botswana: President's Party Wins Elections

African Union

The African Union urged its members to unite against criminal proceedings at the International Criminal Court against sitting presidents, according to a statement released by the 54-nation bloc following a summit in Addis Ababa attended by 34 leaders, World Bulletin and AP reported.

Africa: African Union Urges Opposition To International Criminal Court

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Yael Braun-Pivet, a French lawmaker for the ruling Renaissance party, delivers a speech after being reelected as National Assembly president following the third round of voting on July 18, 2024.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: France Resumes Political Horse-Trading, Blinken Returns to Middle East

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In this podcast, our experts discuss the risks of traveling without a mask.

RANE Insights on COVID-19: Where Are New Variants Percolating?

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People wait at the international arrivals gate at London’s Heathrow Airport on Nov. 28, 2021. The United Kingdom recently imposed new travel restrictions following the discovery of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. 

COVID-19

Once the initial panic subsides, governments will likely scale back their response for fear of causing more economic disruptions and political backlash.

Enter Omicron: A COVID-Weary World Reckons With a New Variant

In Mozambique, Fighting Will Harm Regional Economies

Malawi will suffer as long as its neighbor's conflict continues.

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Extreme Drought Debilitates Southern Africa

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Water scarcity has exacerbated the economic, political and social problems that have long burdened the region.

Paris Agreement Emphasizes Shift Away From Oil

The pace of the transition will be decided by how quickly new technologies reach the developing world.

Delegates attend a plenary session at the U.N. climate change summit in Paris on Dec. 9.

The agreement signed Dec. 12 in Paris is just a small part of a broader energy transition driven by technological change.

Climate Agreement Will Only Hasten Transition Beyond Oil

_Energy

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Southern Africa Looks to Develop Its Great Potential for Power Production

Power grids in Southern Africa developed in large part due to the early demands from the mining industry. Countries now hope to develop electricity markets characterized by competition as much as cooperation.

Electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa

Japanese Investment in Africa

For African states looking to attract foreign funds, Japan's renewed aid and investment provides timely support.

Japan's Changing Investment Patterns in Africa 


Increasingly Japan has focused on building African "human security" and social development, with projects in health care, water, sanitation and education

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegan and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands.

Tokyo's new plan for assistance and investment shows its increasing focus on eastern and southern Africa. 

Japan Increases Its Investments in Africa

India

Indian Investment in Africa

Modern Indian industries, both state and private, view East Africa as a natural extension of their domestic business activities.

Botswana is a sparsely populated, landlocked country in southern Africa bordered by Zimbabwe to the east, Namibia to the west, South Africa to the south and Zambia to the north. Compared to many sub-Saharan countries, Botswana has excelled at achieving political stability. For decades, the country has gained accolades for its democratic traditions and stability relative to its neighbors. Among other things, this may be due to Botswana's relatively small population, few ethnic divisions and concerted efforts from the country's leaders.     Botswana's main geographic challenge is its landlocked status. The lack of port access increases the cost of doing business and, most notably, the costs of imports and exports. This has negatively impacted Botswana's mining industry, which remains the country's most lucrative sector. Rich in diamonds, nickel, copper and other minerals, Botswana is forced to use transport corridors through neighboring countries to access markets beyond its borders. In addition, the country's dependence on natural resources increases its vulnerability to fluctuations in commodity prices.     Like all landlocked countries, it is imperative for Botswana to manage its relationship with its neighbors. This has meant Botswana must grapple with the hegemon of its region, South Africa, though their shared status as former British colonies has spurred ties and infrastructure connections between the two. Since the end of the Cold War and the start of the post-Apartheid era in South Africa, these ties have only increased as Botswana has firmly integrated itself into South Africa's economy and infrastructure network. In 2000, for example, Botswana was a founding member of the Southern African Development Community's Free Trade Area.

SITUATION REPORTS

Botswana: Partial Results Show Ruling BDP Crushed in General Election

Mozambique: Botswana Completes Troop Withdrawal From Cabo Delgado

Botswana: Ruling Party Wins General Election

Botswana: President Leaves Office After Decade In Power

Lesotho: South African Development Community Suspends Activities

France: Delegates Approve Paris Climate Change Deal

Botswana: President's Party Wins Elections

Africa: African Union Urges Opposition To International Criminal Court

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