Khama has visited all of Botswana’s 57 constituencies since December, bidding a long goodbye to citizens after serving the constitutional maximum of 10 years in office.
He will be succeeded by Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi, a full 18 months before elections.
Botswana has recorded rising unemployment since 2009 as diamond prices fell.
The opposition blames Khama for creating a society of “beggars” by “creating dependency through handouts.”
SEROWE
President Ian Khama of Botswana this week wrapped up a national “farewell tour” before he stands down on Saturday in a power transfer designed to stress his statesmanship and the country’s stability.
Khama has visited all of Botswana’s 57 constituencies since December, bidding a long goodbye to a population of just 2.2 million after serving the constitutional maximum of 10 years in office.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
He will be succeeded by Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi, a full 18 months before elections.
Khama’s two terms in power have been defined by his country’s rapid development thanks to lucrative diamond and beef exports and by a reputation for good governance.
He has also become renowned for straight talking — breaking with diplomatic convention to criticise leaders including US President Donald Trump and then-president Robert Mugabe in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
https://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Botswana-President-Ian-Khama-to-step-down/1066-4362504-view-asAMP-cw9dgcz/index.html