Botswana held a
general election in October 2019. Though it was more competitive than previous elections, it resulted in a victory for the ruling
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and won an addition term for President
Mokgweetsi Masisi. Botswana saw an escalation in the rivalry between Masisi and his predecessor
Ian Khama, with Khama leaving the Botswana Democratic Party to support the
Botswana Patriotic Front and the
Umbrella for Democratic Change. Following the BDP's victory, opposition leaders challenged the results of the election.
The
Sewelô diamond was discovered in April 2019, and two other diamonds, the
Okavango Blue and the
Lesedi La Rona, were unveiled in the same month. The nation's ban on elephant hunting was controversially lifted in May 2019. Botswana's law criminalising homosexuality was overturned by the
High Court of Botswana in June 2019, prompting a challenge from the government.
25 May – Former president
Ian Khama announces that he will no longer support the Botswana Democratic Party and would work to unseat the party's members.[12]
June – A poisoning kills 537 endangered and critically endangered vultures.[13]
11 June - The High Court overturns a ban on homosexuality.[14]
July
The government of Botswana appeals the High Court decision to decriminalise homosexuality.[15]
A malfunction on President Masisi's plane prompts conspiracy theories that his political opponents are making attempts on his life.[16]
22 July –
FIFA fines and bans former Botswana Football Association secretary general
Mooketsi Kgotlele on charges of
match fixing and accepting bribes.[18]
August – President Masisi announces that Botswana will provide free HIV treatment to non-citizens.[19]
27 August –
Adel Amrouche is named coach of the Botswana national football team.[20]
17 September – The government of Botswana begins deporting refugees that fled Namibia in 1999.[21]
25 October – The ruling Botswana Democratic Party is determined to have won the general election.[23]
November – The
Umbrella for Democratic Change, the Botswana Democratic Party's strongest opposition, challenges the results of the 2019 general election.[24]
1 November – President Masisi is sworn in following his reelection.[25]
11 November – The government of Botswana orders the church of
Shepherd Bushiri to stop congregating in the country.[26]
Botswana held a
general election in October 2019. Though it was more competitive than previous elections, it resulted in a victory for the ruling
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and won an addition term for President
Mokgweetsi Masisi. Botswana saw an escalation in the rivalry between Masisi and his predecessor
Ian Khama, with Khama leaving the Botswana Democratic Party to support the
Botswana Patriotic Front and the
Umbrella for Democratic Change. Following the BDP's victory, opposition leaders challenged the results of the election.
The
Sewelô diamond was discovered in April 2019, and two other diamonds, the
Okavango Blue and the
Lesedi La Rona, were unveiled in the same month. The nation's ban on elephant hunting was controversially lifted in May 2019. Botswana's law criminalising homosexuality was overturned by the
High Court of Botswana in June 2019, prompting a challenge from the government.
25 May – Former president
Ian Khama announces that he will no longer support the Botswana Democratic Party and would work to unseat the party's members.[12]
June – A poisoning kills 537 endangered and critically endangered vultures.[13]
11 June - The High Court overturns a ban on homosexuality.[14]
July
The government of Botswana appeals the High Court decision to decriminalise homosexuality.[15]
A malfunction on President Masisi's plane prompts conspiracy theories that his political opponents are making attempts on his life.[16]
22 July –
FIFA fines and bans former Botswana Football Association secretary general
Mooketsi Kgotlele on charges of
match fixing and accepting bribes.[18]
August – President Masisi announces that Botswana will provide free HIV treatment to non-citizens.[19]
27 August –
Adel Amrouche is named coach of the Botswana national football team.[20]
17 September – The government of Botswana begins deporting refugees that fled Namibia in 1999.[21]
25 October – The ruling Botswana Democratic Party is determined to have won the general election.[23]
November – The
Umbrella for Democratic Change, the Botswana Democratic Party's strongest opposition, challenges the results of the 2019 general election.[24]
1 November – President Masisi is sworn in following his reelection.[25]
11 November – The government of Botswana orders the church of
Shepherd Bushiri to stop congregating in the country.[26]