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GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — An arrest warrant has been issued in Botswana for former President Ian Khama on a cost of unlawful possession of firearms.
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Khama, at present residing in neighboring South Africa, denies the cost, his lawyer mentioned.
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The previous president was formally charged in April final yr however has not but appeared in court docket. A Botswana court docket issued the warrant for Khama’s arrest on Dec. 29.
Khama has been in South Africa for a couple of yr, after falling out together with his hand-picked successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Khama, 69, president of Botswana between 2008 and 2018, mentioned he’s being hounded for his opposition to Masisi.
“There’s been no crime. I’ve carried out nothing unsuitable,” Khama instructed South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC.
He mentioned the warrant is a part of Masisi’s marketing campaign to persecute him as Botswana approaches normal elections in 2024.
“I’ve been and I’ll proceed being increasingly focused on this method as a result of I stay essentially the most fixed voice condemning and exposing Masisi for the incompetent failure that he’s,” Khama instructed the Voice of America.
Botswana has not but requested South Africa to extradite Khama.
Khama, the son of Botswana’s first President Seretse Khama, was the fourth president of the southern African nation. After serving as commander of the Botswana Defence Pressure, Khama was vice chairman from 1998 to 2008 after which turned president when Festus Mogae retired.
Khama was reelected within the 2009 elections and gained reelection once more in 2014, leaving workplace after finishing two five-year phrases.
Khama stop the ruling Botswana Democratic Get together in 2019 and is now patron of the splinter Botswana Patriotic Entrance.
