In a dramatic twist, former Botswana President Ian Khama has returned to his home country after a three-year self-imposed exile, only to have criminal charges against him dropped by a magistrate in Gaborone.
Speaking at a welcome ceremony at Serowe Sports Complex, Khama revealed that his lawyers had informed him of the state’s decision to dismiss the charges of possessing weapons of war. “I am glad the charges against me have been dropped because the case was flawed. It’s over now, and no one will come after me again,” he declared.
Khama fled Botswana in 2021, citing threats to his life and freedom under President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s administration. He faced allegations of illegal possession of firearms, money laundering, and receiving stolen property, which he has consistently denied as politically motivated. Arrest warrants were issued against him in 2022 after he failed to appear in court for the firearms case.
In September, Khama made an unexpected court appearance, leaving his supporters chanting, “The General is back.” His return reportedly surprised prosecutors, with State Prosecutor Ambrose Mubika admitting, “We were taken by surprise.” At the hearing, the magistrate revoked the arrest warrants, marking a significant legal victory for the 71-year-old former leader.
Khama’s return coincides with a politically charged atmosphere following last month’s elections, which saw Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) elected as president. His homecoming also highlights ongoing tensions within the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which Khama once led but has since fractured amid his rivalry with Masisi.
Operating outside of state security, Khama now relies on private guards, a stark contrast to his earlier dependence on state protection as a former president. “I crossed into Botswana from South Africa, driving myself,” he told journalists, recounting his low-profile return ten days earlier than prosecutors expected.
Khama’s lawyer, Unoda Mack, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “The State wanted him back in the country, and now he is back. He is free to stay as long as he likes.”
The saga underscores the deeply rooted political and personal divisions between Khama and Masisi, with the dropped charges marking a turning point in their fraught relationship.
