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  • Author or Editor: Christian von Soest x
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After winning a sound victory in the 2009 election, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) underwent a split but was able to retain dominance in parliament. In foreign relations, Botswana maintained its strong stand against democratic deficits in other African countries such as Zimbabwe and Côte d’Ivoire, but was also confronted with an unfavourable ruling by the African Commission on its policy towards the country’s indigenous people, the San. Botswana’s economy quickly recovered from the international financial crisis, but diversification of the economy remained an urgent challenge. Despite ongoing efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, the epidemic persisted in threatening the country’s future.

Despite a transfer of power to a new head of government, Botswana continued to enjoy political stability. The handing over of the presidency from President Mogae to Ian Khama went smoothly, while the opposition remained divided. Unlike his predecessor, Khama showed little patience with the turmoil in Zimbabwe. While diamond production remained the engine of economic growth, HIV/AIDS continued to threaten socioeconomic development.

Botswana continued to enjoy political stability. Preparations by the government and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to transfer power from President Mogae to Vice President Ian Khama went smoothly, while the opposition remained divided. Doubts emerged whether the government was willing to abide by the high court ruling in favour of the San in 2006, when the court had declared their relocation from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) to be unlawful. While diamond production remained the engine of economic growth, HIV/AIDS continued to threaten socioeconomic development.

Despite internal rifts, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won a sound victory in the ninth election after independence. Botswana remained the Southern African region's most vocal critic of Zimbabwe's President Mugabe. Notwithstanding relative macroeconomic stability, dependence on diamond exports proved problematic as reduced demand and a decreasing GDP followed the international financial crisis.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary of independence, Botswana continued to enjoy political stability. While the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) – in power for all the 40 years – seemed to come to grips with factional strife, efforts to establish a formal agreement for opposition unity collapsed. The high court ruled the controversial relocation of the San from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) unconstitutional. Diamond production remained the engine of economic growth and the government signed a historic deal with the multinational De Beers allowing Botswana a greater share in the conglomerate. Notwithstanding numerous initiatives, HIV/AIDS continued to threaten socioeconomic development.