Botswana continued to address the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, including the discovery of the COVID-19 variant Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, with COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed in October. Continued disputes took place regarding the Botswana–Namibia border, though an open border was established in September. The rivalry between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama escalated in 2022, accelerated by firearms charges against Khama and a warrant for his arrest. The government also saw controversy for its support of bills that would grant it additional espionage powers and regulate journalists.

2022
in
Botswana

Decades:
See also:

Incumbents

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Ongoing

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Events

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January

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February

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March

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April

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  • 16 May – Botswana's state oil company declares its intention to build a $2.5 billion coal power plant.[24]
  • 21 May – Two people are killed in an accident at a copper and silver mine.[25]

June

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  • 1 June – Andrew Motsomi is appointed managing director of Debswana.[26]
  • 24 June – The Botswana National Olympic Committee launches the Sport for Life youth sports program.[27]

July

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August

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September

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  • September – Parliament authorises the creation of a statutory media board to regulate journalists.[34]
  • 9 September – The Botswana–Namibia border becomes an open border.[35]

October

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November

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December

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  • December – An arrest warrant for illegal position of firearms is issued against former President Ian Khama and other former government officials.[44]

Deaths

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References

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  1. ^ "Botswana's president ends isolation after asymptomatic COVID-19". Reuters. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  2. ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (2022-01-12). "Makhadzi responds to criticism over Botswana show instead of having one back home". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  3. ^ "Botswana Diamonds shares shoot up on Thorny River potential". Mining.com. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  4. ^ Ndebele, Lenin (2022-01-26). "Botswana has stockpile of 3 million Covid-19 vaccines, starts offering booster jabs". News24. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  5. ^ Lute, Aubrey (2022-01-31). "Namibia mulling action against Botswana over BDF inquest ruling". Weekend Post. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  6. ^ Riley, John (2022-01-25). "Botswana's president promises to implement court ruling decriminalizing homosexuality". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  7. ^ Ndebele, Lenin (2022-01-24). "Botswana High Court upholds marijuana licence for single firm to produce cannabis for goods". News24. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  8. ^ Mguni, Mbongeni (2022-02-02). "Botswana to Regulate Crypto That Was Feared Becoming 'Wild West'". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  9. ^ "Vast Resources pulls out of deal to buy Botswana's Ghaghoo diamond mine". Mining.com. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  10. ^ Dube, Mqondisi (2022-02-04). "Botswana Government Waters Down Phone Tapping Bill After Public Outcry". VOA. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  11. ^ Dube, Mqondisi (2022-03-20). "Botswana Drops Vaccine Mandate for Travelers". VOA. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  12. ^ Ndebele, Lenin. "SA man among 9 killed in shootout with Botswana police, following cash-in-transit robbery". News24. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  13. ^ Koboyatau, Tumelo (2022-03-22). "Khama brothers arrested". Weekend Post. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  14. ^ "Makgophe's arrest an embarrassment". Mmegi Online. 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  15. ^ "Iconic Big Tusker Elephant Killed by Trophy Hunter in Botswana". SAPeople. 2022-04-22. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  16. ^ Letswela, Kagiso (2022-02-28). "Gov't fears backlash from CKGR burial saga". Weekend Post. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  17. ^ Basimanebotlhe, Tsaone (2023-01-24). "Gaoberekwe's body still in morgue". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  18. ^ Bila, Leticia (2022-04-06). "Botswana National Olympic Committee appoints new chief executive". www.insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  19. ^ Mosinyi, Thato (2022-04-10). "UDC wins Bophirima ward". Daily News Botswana. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
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  21. ^ Dube, Tendai (2022-04-26). "It was hail and not snow that coated parts of Botswana in April, weather experts said". AFP Fact Check. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  22. ^ Mlilo, Portia (2022-04-21). "Botswana Media Freedom Committee launched". TheVoiceBW. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  23. ^ "Former Botswana president faces criminal charges". Africanews. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  24. ^ "Botswana plans $2.5 bln coal-to-liquids plant to cut fuel imports". Reuters. 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  25. ^ "Work suspended at Botswana's Khoemacau copper mine after accident kills two". Reuters. 2022-05-21. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  26. ^ "Debswana hopes new, outsider MD will bring the shine back to its diamond business". Africa Intelligence. 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  27. ^ Iveson, Ali (2022-06-24). "Botswana NOC starts Sport for Life project with administrators' training course". www.insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  28. ^ Haseltine, William A. "An End To HIV In Botswana, Why Can't We Accomplish The Same In The US?". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  29. ^ "Botswana Diamonds kicks off drilling at Thorny River's high-grade area". Mining.com. 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  30. ^ "Botswana's Amos suspended for doping ahead of World Championships". Reuters. 2022-07-13. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  31. ^ Tjitemisa, Kuzeeko (2022-08-18). "Masisi reported to ICC over Nchindo killings". New Era Live. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  32. ^ Mguni, Mbongeni (2022-10-17). "Botswana Resumes Beef Exports to EU After Foot-and-Mouth Ban". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  33. ^ "Of 14%, 12% & 0% VAT post 03.08.22". The Business Weekly & Review. 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  34. ^ Harber, Anton (2022-09-28). "Botswana Media Practitioner Act is a threat to freedom of the media". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  35. ^ Williams, Chad. "Namibia and Botswana to abolish the use of passports between the two countries". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  36. ^ "Namibia and Botswana agree to exchange prisoners". The Namibian. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  37. ^ "Botswana: Authorities remove COVID-19 entry restrictions as of Oct. 18". Crisis24. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  38. ^ Obinna, Emelike (2022-11-06). "African tourism on spotlight at ATLF 2022". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  39. ^ Bulbulia, Tasneem (2022-11-07). "Tsodilo initiates legal action against Botswana Ministry". Mining Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  40. ^ Mguni, Mbongeni (2022-11-04). "Power Cuts Hit Botswana After Main Generation Plant Fails". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  41. ^ "Saudi minister meets with President of Botswana in Gaborone". Arab News. 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  42. ^ "Orange launches first African 5G network in Botswana". Reuters. 2022-11-11. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  43. ^ Bothoko, Pini (2022-12-02). "Botswana records first combat death". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  44. ^ "Ian Khama: Botswana issues arrest warrant for former president". BBC News. 2022-12-30. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  45. ^ Selatlhwa, Innocent (2022-01-18). "Bakgatla queen mother passes on At 79". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  46. ^ Kaelo, Goitsemodimo (2022-01-23). "Showbiz industry pays tribute to late Polino". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  47. ^ Kaelo, Goitsemodimo (2022-02-08). "Music industry mourns Kgosi Maburu". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  48. ^ Kaelo, Goitsemodimo (2022-03-06). "Remembering the iconic late Mafoko". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  49. ^ Tlhankane, Mompati (2022-05-24). "Khama family mourns eldest kin". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  50. ^ Mkhutshwa, Lesedi (2022-05-09). "Tributes pour in for Ketlhoilwe". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-01-30.