Ian Khama

Ian Khama is the second child of Sir Seretse Khama (1 July 1921 – 13 July 1980), Botswana's foremost independence leader and its president from 1966 to 1980, and Lady Khama. He was born in Chertsey, Surrey, while his father was living in exile in the United Kingdom, due to the opposition by the colonial government and the emergent apartheid regime in South Africa to his marriage to a white woman.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/may/29/guardianobituaries|title=Obituary: Lady Ruth Khama|first=Guy|last=Arnold|date=May 29, 2002|website=The Guardian}}

He is also the grandson of Sekgoma II (1869–1925), who was the paramount chief of the Bamangwato people, and the great-grandson of Khama III (1837–1923), their king. His great-great-grandfather of Kgosikgolo Sekgoma I was Chief of the Bamangwato people (1815–1885). The name "Seretse" means “the clay that binds together”, and was given to his father to celebrate the recent reconciliation of his father and grandfather; this reconciliation assured Seretse Khama's ascension to the throne when his aged father died in 1925. Ian Seretse Khama is named after his father to continue this historical legacy. He is also known simply as Ian Khama to differentiate between himself and his father. Tshekedi Khama II, Ian Khama's brother, was named after their great uncle, Tshekedi Khama who was the regent and guardian for Seretse Khama, the first president of Botswana.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/president-seretse-khama|title=President Seretse Khama | South African History Online|website=www.sahistory.org.za}}

Ian Khama was educated at Waterford Kamhlaba, a United World College in Mbabane,{{cite web|title=Waterford Kamhlaba Background|url=http://www.waterford.sz/information/waterford_kamhlaba_background/|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414133341/http://www.waterford.sz/information/waterford_kamhlaba_background/|archive-date=April 14, 2012|access-date=2010-12-23}} and at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.Gordon Bell [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20080330125727131C535360 "Botswana's leader to keep winning formula"], Reuters (IOL), 30 March 2008. He is a qualified pilot.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-11 |title=Inside how Khama's love for flying took away Botswana's innocence {{!}} Sunday Standard |url=https://www.sundaystandard.info/inside-how-khamaocos-love-for-flying-took-away-botswanaocos-innocence/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |language=en-GB}} In April 1977, Khama was appointed as a brigadier general at age 24 during Sir Seretse Khama's Presidency, making him the Deputy Commander to late former Vice President Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe. He later served as the Commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) from his appointment in 1989, retiring from the position in 1998. During this time, Khama received military honours, including the Founder Officer Medal for being part of the Botswana Defence Force when it was created in 1977, the Duty Code Order for devotion to duty, and the Distinguished Service Medal in 1997 after 20 years of service.{{Cite news |date=2019-06-24 |title=Khama barred from using BDF facilities |url=https://www.weekendpost.co.bw/18290/news/khama-barred-from-using-bdf-facilities/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |work=Botswana Weekend Post}}

File:Khama Bachelet 2017.png

Khama, serving as Commander of the Botswana Defence Force, announced on 16 December 1997 that he would retire from his command on 31 March 1998. Because this was the same date as the planned retirement of President Quett Masire, it fueled political speculation about Khama."Botswana: Army commander announces he will retire at end of March 1998", SAPA news agency (nl.newsbank.com), 18 December 1997. On 1 April 1998, when Vice-President Festus Mogae succeeded Masire as president, Khama was appointed as the new vice-president. However, Khama did not hold a seat in the National Assembly, and so could not immediately take office as vice-president. In early July 1998 he overwhelmingly won a by-election in Serowe North, receiving 2,986 votes against 86 votes for the candidate of the opposition Botswana National Front."Botswana: Ian Khama wins by-election and can therefore be vice-president", SAPA news agency (nl.newsbank.com), 6 July 1998. On 13 July, he took his seat in the National Assembly and was sworn in as vice-president."Botswana: Ian Khama takes parliamentary seat, sworn in as vice-president", SAPA news agency (nl.newsbank.com), 13 July 1998. By these actions, he effectively renounced his hitherto unclaimed hereditary chieftaincy, as the constitutional monarchs of modern Botswana are legally barred from actively taking part in party politics. Many traditional Bamangwato continued to recognize him as their chief.{{Cite news |date=2008-04-02 |title=Botswana's new high flyer |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7325400.stm |access-date=2024-05-21 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}

Following the victory of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the general election of October 1999, Khama remained vice-president as well as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.Ernest Chilisa, [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=ct19991022203723103B320924 "Major shake-up after Botswana poll"], Saturday Star (IOL), 22 October 1999."Botswana: President Mogae appoints new cabinet", Radio Botswana (nl.newsbank.com), 21 October 1999. Mogae granted Khama a one-year leave later in the year,"Botswana: President Mogae faces court action", PANA news agency (nl.newsbank.com), 23 December 1999."Botswana: Vice-president's year-long sabbatical leave criticized", PANA news agency (nl.newsbank.com), 3 January 2000. a decision that the opposition Botswana Congress Party and the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations sharply criticized. Khama's leave became effective on 1 January 2000. He returned to his duties as vice-president on 1 September 2000, although he was replaced as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration at that time."Botswana: Vice-president "resumes duty"; cabinet reshuffle reported", Radio Botswana (nl.newsbank.com), 30 August 2000.

Khama, already a member of the BDP Central Committee,[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=44427 "BOTSWANA: Feature{{spaced ndash}}leadership contest may test stability"], IRIN, 19 June 2003. was elected as Chairman of the BDP on 22 July 2003 at a party congress; he defeated the previous chairman, Ponatshego Kedikilwe, receiving 512 votes against 219 for Kedikilwe.[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=45114 "BOTSWANA: Khama win eases Mogae's concerns"], IRIN, 23 July 2003."Botswana: Vice-president wins ruling party chairmanship", Business Day, Johannesburg (nl.newsbank.com), 22 July 2003.{{Cite book |last=USA |first=IBP |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0T2zDwAAQBAJ&dq=receiving+512+votes+against+219+for+Kedikilwe.&pg=PA40 |title=Botswana Investment and Business Guide: Strategic Information and Laws |date=2013 |publisher= Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-4387-6717-8 |language=en}} Khama had been backed for the post by President Mogae,"Botswana: President Mogae defends decision to back Khama for party chairmanship", Radio Botswana (nl.newsbank.com), 19 June 2003. paving the way for Khama to eventually succeed Mogae as president.

In 2007, Khama appeared on British television in the BBC's Top Gear motoring programme, meeting the presenters as they prepared to cross the Makgadikgadi Pan in northern Botswana by car for the Top Gear: Botswana Special.Top Gear: Botswana Special, Top Gear Series 10, episode 4, BBC, broadcast 4 November 2007.

In April 2022, Ian Khama was summoned by the justice of his country. The former head of state is accused, among other things, of illegal possession of a firearm. The case dates back to 2016.{{in lang|en}} [https://fr.africanews.com/2022/04/21/botswana-l-ex-president-ian-khama-convoque-par-la- justice/ Africanews]{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. In December 2022, a warrant for Khama's arrest was given for illegal possession of firearms. The warrant was given after he did not appear to the court summonings earlier in the year.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-30 |title=Ian Khama: Botswana issues arrest warrant for former president |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64124882 |access-date=2022-12-30}}

Mogae stepped down, as he had long said he would do,[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=nw20070715145732985C233999 "Botswana's Mogae set to retire"], AFP (IOL), 15 July 2007. on 1 April 2008; Khama succeeded him as president. At his swearing-in ceremony in Gaborone, Khama said that there would be continuity in policy and no "radical changes", although he said that "a change in style and special emphasis on a number of issues" might be evident, and he emphasized his commitment to democracy.[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20080401141813169C274076 "New president calms nerves"], AFP (IOL), 1 April 2008. He immediately undertook a major cabinet reshuffle, and he appointed Mompati Merafhe, who had been Foreign Minister, as the new vice-president.[http://www.mmegi.bw/2008/April/Wednesday2/129.php "Khama fires five ministers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001212957/http://www.mmegi.bw/2008/April/Wednesday2/129.php |date=2017-10-01 }}, Mmegi Online, 2 April 2008. Upon becoming president, Khama left his post as Chairman of the BDP; Daniel Kwelagobe was chosen to replace him.[http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20080408&i=DK_is_BDP_chairman "DK is BDP chairman"], BOPA, 8 April 2008. Khama was not elected to the presidency for his first year in office, being appointed due to his position as vice president. Some political commentators such as Kenneth Good see as a flaw in the electoral system in Botswana.{{cite book |last1=Good |first1=Kenneth |title=Diamonds, Dispossession and Democracy in Botswana |date=2008 |publisher=African Issues |location=London}}

President Khama first articulated his desire to impose a 70% alcohol levy,{{Cite journal|last1=Pitso|first1=Joseph M. N.|last2=Obot|first2=Isidore S.|date=2011|title=Botswana alcohol policy and the presidential levy controversy|journal=Addiction|language=en|volume=106|issue=5|pages=898–905|doi=10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03365.x|pmid=21477246|issn=1360-0443}} meant to combat the problem of excessive drinking in Botswana. The practical effect of such a levy was soon seen to have a deleterious effect on the brewing industry, which resisted the imposition of such a levy, along with bars and other drinking establishments. The President later imposed a 30% levy after consulting with industry leaders, including the Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower.{{Cite web|url=https://clubofmozambique.com/news/khama-the-jihadist-who-battled-alcohol/|title=Khama, the jihadist who battled alcohol|website=Club of Mozambique|date=22 March 2016}} SAB Miller secured British diplomatic representation to attempt to lower the levy.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/dc6381e4-3e90-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0|title=Botswana sobers up|work= Financial Times}}

In 2008, The Media Practitioners Act passed into Botswana law,{{Cite web |date=2008-12-22 |title=Media Practitioners Act, 2008 |url=https://www.researchictafrica.net/countries/botswana/Media_Practitioners_Act_2008.pdf |publisher=Parliament of Botswana}} and has been criticized as inhibiting free speech by several outlets.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=80548&dir=2019/april/15|title=Mmegi Online :: Media Practitioners Act: MISA disappointed|website=Mmegi Online|date=15 April 2019}} The act's language seeks to encourage a more professional journalistic standard. The law has proved to be difficult to enforce or implement.{{Cite news|url=http://www.botswanaguardian.co.bw/news/item/3957-pressure-mounts-on-masisi-to-repeal-draconian-media-practitioners-act.html|title=Pressure mounts on Masisi to repeal draconian Media Practitioners' Act|first=Keikantse |last=Lesemela|work=Botswana Guardian|date=29 January 2019|access-date=10 June 2020|archive-date=3 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203222748/https://www.botswanaguardian.co.bw/news/item/3957-pressure-mounts-on-masisi-to-repeal-draconian-media-practitioners-act.html|url-status=dead}}

In 2009, Khama appeared on CNN's African Voices which painted a positive picture of Khama, and named Botswana an African "success story".{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/03/05/av.iankhama/index.html|title=African Voices: Ian Khama |work=CNN}}

In the 2009 Botswana general election, Khama was elected to the first of two terms as president. Politically, Khama's election campaign was dominated by internal squabbling in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP),{{Cite web |date=2009-09-06 |title=Is Multi-Party Politics Democracy? |url=http://www.times.co.sz/feed/letters/8999-is-multi-party-politics-democracy.txt |website=Times Of Swaziland}} which was clearly divided into two major factions, the A-Team{{Cite web|title=Mmegi Online :: The BDP split: End of an era?|url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=1122&dir=2010/March/Monday22/|website=Mmegi Online|date = 22 March 2010|access-date=2020-05-25}} and the Barata Phati factions.{{Cite journal|last=Lotshwao|first=Kebapetse|date=2014|title=Donor Assistance and Democracy in Botswana|journal=SSRN Working Paper Series|doi=10.2139/ssrn.2497797|s2cid=155532700|issn=1556-5068}}{{Cite web|title=Mmegi Online :: We are almost there: Barata-Phathi|url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=1904&dir=2010/April/Friday23|website=Mmegi Online|date = 23 April 2010|access-date=2020-05-25}} The A-Team was led by President Khama, Jacob Nkate, the former minister of education, and the late former vice president Mompati Merafhe. The Barata Phati faction was led by former BDP secretary general Daniel Kwelagobe, formerly the chairman of the party, the late Gomolemo Motswaledi, and also retired former vice president Ponatshego Kedikilwe, who wished to bring about constitutional reform not only to the BDP but also to the country's constitution. In the run-up to the 2009 elections, Motswaledi, who gave up on his ambition to run for a seat in Serowe in order to make way for Ian Khama's brother, Tshekedi Khama II, was also excluded from representing Gaborone when he ran afoul of President Khama.{{Cite journal|doi = 10.1080/02589001.2011.581501|title = Limited freedom and intolerance in Botswana|year = 2011|last1 = Botlhomilwe|first1 = Mokganedi Zara|last2 = Sebudubudu|first2 = David|last3 = Maripe|first3 = Bugalo|journal = Journal of Contemporary African Studies|volume = 29|issue = 3|pages = 331–348|s2cid = 153771262}} Motswaledi lost a lawsuit against Khama when the High Court ruled that the president enjoyed constitutional immunity from litigation by virtue of his position.Party Systems and Democracy in Africa, Doorenspleet, R., Nijzink, L. After this incident, critics accused Khama of authoritarian tendencies; More than half of the BDP central Committee at one time felt that Khama had on many instances acted beyond his powers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sundaystandard.info/khama-reinstates-motswaledi/|title=Khama reinstates Motswaled|work=Sunday Standard|date=1 September 2009}} Others, including Khama and his legal representation, said that he was simply instilling discipline as part of his role as the head of the party.

Khama won 53.26% of the vote, and a majority of seats in the National Assembly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eisa.org/wep/bot2009presults.htm|title=EISA Botswana: 2009 National Assembly election results|website=www.eisa.org}}

After the 2009 election, Motswaledi bowed out of the BDP to form another political party, the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310771824 |last1=Lotshwao |first1=Kebapetse |last2=Suping |first2=Kekgaoditse |date=2013 |title=The 2010 split of the Botswana Democratic Party |publisher=PULA |journal=Botswana Journal of African Studies |issue=27 |via=ResearchGate}}

Khama put in place a ban on elephant hunting in 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51413420|title=Botswana auctions off permits to hunt elephants|work=BBC News|date=February 7, 2020}}

The death of John Kalifatis, whose death resulted during the course of a robbery investigation, occurred early in Khama's presidency.{{Cite web|url=https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-africa-byo-69629.html|title=Who murdered Botswana's John Kalafatis|website=Bulawayo24 News}} The police statement on Kalifatis reads: "The deceased, John Kalafatis, had a warrant of arrest issued against him on 12 January 2009 for armed robbery among others. All along, he was a fugitive from justice." The officers involved claimed that they mistakenly believed him to be reaching for his firearm at the time of the shooting.{{Cite web |date=2011-06-22 |title=STATE v MOTHOBI AND OTHERS 2011 2 BLR 330 HC |url=http://www.elaws.gov.bw/desplaylrpage.php?id=4601&dsp=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610220632/http://www.elaws.gov.bw/desplaylrpage.php?id=4601&dsp=2 |archive-date=2020-06-10 |website=High Court, Lobatse}} Other sources dispute this, and claim that Kalafatis had been executed by members of the Botswana Defense Force.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=67880&dir=2017/march/31|title=Mmegi Online :: Kalafatis brother demands P16million from govt|first=BAME|last=PIET|website=Mmegi Online|date=31 March 2017 }} The three members of the BDF responsible for the death of Kalifatis were found guilty of murder, and each sentenced to 11 years in prison. They received a presidential pardon from Khama in 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=763&dir=2012/June/Tuesday5|title=Mmegi Online :: Khama frees Kalafatis killers|website=Mmegi Online|date=8 March 2010 }} This was seen as proof by some sources that Khama was involved in the killing. The prosecuting lawyer for Kalifatis said “What is his special interest in these particular offenders, how can we not suspect that he had a personal interest in the case…?”{{Cite web |date=7 June 2012 |title=Khama sets Kalafatis killers free |url=https://www.sundaystandard.info/khama-sets-kalafatis-killers-free/ |website=Sunday Standard}}

In the 2014 Botswana general election, Khama won his second term. His party received 46.45% of the vote, and a majority of seats in the National Assembly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eisa.org/wep/bot2014results.htm|title=EISA Botswana: 2014 National Assembly election results|website=www.eisa.org}} In the lead up to the election, opposition politician Gomolemo Motswaledi died in a traffic collision on 30 July 2014. While there was some speculation on the incident being politically motivated, the police force concluded that the death was an accident.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sundaystandard.info/diss-whistleblower-claims-motswaledi-was-assassinated/|title=DISS whistleblower claims Motswaledi was assassinated|work=Sunday Standard|date=1 September 2014}}{{Cite news |title=President Khama election rival killed in car accident |publisher=Bulawayo24 News |date=30 July 2014 |url=http://www.bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-africa-byo-51431.html |access-date=30 July 2014}}{{Cite news |title=Gomolemo Motswaledi passes on |work=Botswana Daily News |agency=Radio Botswana |date=30 July 2014 |url=http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news-details.php?nid=13332 |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212614/http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news-details.php?nid=13332 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |title=Gomolemo Motswaledi killed? |work=Bulawayo24 |agency=Bulabayo24 |date= 3 August 2014 |url=http://www.bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-africa-byo-51601.html |access-date=3 August 2014}}{{Cite news|title=Was Gomolemo Motswaledi killed? |work=Botswana Guardian |agency=Botswana Guardian |date=3 August 2014 |url=http://www.botswanaguardian.co.bw/news/971-was-motswaledi-killed.html |access-date=3 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808072823/http://www.botswanaguardian.co.bw/news/971-was-motswaledi-killed.html |archive-date=8 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

In 2015, Khama was awarded an honorary doctorate in political science from Konkuk University in South Korea.{{Cite web|url=http://www.botswanaguardian.co.bw/news/item/1565-dr-ian-khama-the-politics-ofhonorary-degrees.html|title=Dr Ian Khama; the politics of honorary degrees – Botswana Guardian|website=www.botswanaguardian.co.bw}} After he received the degree, Khama's official title was "His Excellency the President Lieutenant General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama".{{Cite web|url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=57671&dir=2016/february/11|title=Mmegi Online :: President Khama has a new official name|author=|website=Mmegi Online|date=11 February 2016 }}

Khama took a strong stance against the Zimbabwean government, particularly Robert Mugabe.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-politics-khama-idUSKBN1DH1B8|title=Botswana's Khama tells Mugabe to go|newspaper=Reuters |date=November 17, 2017|via=www.reuters.com}} He did so by refusing to recognize the government unless and until it included members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) headed by Morgan Tsvangirai.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-zimbabwe-crisis-idUKWEA608420080814|title=Khama to boycott summit if no Zimbabwe deal|first=Nelson|last=Banya|newspaper=Reuters |date=August 14, 2008|via=www.reuters.com}} Khama also condemned the action of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir in the region of Darfur[https://web.archive.org/web/20200610204521/http://iccnow.org/?mod=newsdetail&news=3368 Article Title] and became a vocal critic of despotic governments in Africa along with President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia.{{Cite web |title=Liberation leaders who become tyrants |url=https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2008/05/liberation-leaders-who-become-tyrants/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.thezimbabwean.co}}

Khama has been criticized by some figures for making poor decisions, including by former president Quett Masire, who claimed that the BDP had been taken over by opportunists looking to benefit from senior government positions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/33661982|title=President Masire's Final Message to Botswana|first=Barry|last=Morton|via=www.academia.edu}}

Under Khama, the government has also established the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) with police powers, which is seen as the Botswana equivalent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States. Although this type of organization is not new and is found in many countries, it has critics in Botswana who charge that there are very few domestic or transnational threats that the police and the military could not handle. Some, including executive director of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, Siphosami Malunga, have argued that the institution, initially headed by President Khama's close friend Issac Kgosi, could easily be manipulated and used against political enemies or others who criticize the President or his administration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theafricareport.com/16645/botswana-unravels-unmasking-africas-democracy-poster-child/|title=Botswana unravels: unmasking Africa's democracy poster child|date=August 28, 2019|website=The Africa Report.com}}

On the economic front, Khama has been a vocal proponent of moving Botswana away from its over-reliance on diamonds and diversifying its economy, especially to the agriculture and tourism sector.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sardc.net/en/southern-african-news-features/botswana-determined-to-diversify-its-economy/|title=Botswana determined to diversify its economy|date=October 13, 2009}}

Khama put in place a ban on elephant hunting during his time as president, and supported conservation efforts in Botswana. In 2018, he criticized President Donald Trump for encouraging elephant poaching.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43435013|title=Botswana's Ian Khama: Trump encouraging elephant poaching|work=BBC News |date=March 16, 2018}}

A teetotaler, Khama has been strongly prohibitionist in his attitude towards alcohol, viewing it as a significant problem.{{Cite web|title=President Ian Khama: Emboldened by evidence to reduce harms of alcohol use in Botswana|date=11 May 2015|publisher=Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation|url=https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/insights-blog/acting-data/president-ian-khama-emboldened-evidence-reduce-harms-alcohol|access-date=9 January 2025}}

Diplomatically, he took a strong stance on North Korea's human rights issues. After cutting ties with North Korea in 2014 over its egregious human rights violations, he described the human rights atrocities in the hermit kingdom 'worse than the African refugee issues', particularly during the mass famine in the 1990s. He gave an interview with the Yonhap News Agency during his visit to Seoul, South Korea in 2015, criticizing the North's leaders for 'living in the Stone Age' and called their aggressive actions unacceptable.{{cite news| url=https://cnnews.chosun.com/client/news/print.asp?cate=c01&mcate=&nNewsNumb=20140338965 | title=北韩人权惨无人道 竟不如非洲难民 韩国之眼 朝鲜日报网|language=ko}}{{cite news|url=http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2015/10/23/0200000000AKR20151023161000043.HTML|title=보츠와나 대통령 "北 인권후퇴, 관계유지 가치 없었다"|date=23 October 2015|language=ko|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024165837/http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2015/10/23/0200000000AKR20151023161000043.HTML|archive-date=24 October 2015}}

On 1 April 2018, Mokgweetsi Masisi was sworn in as the 5th President of Botswana, succeeding Ian Khama and his full ten years of presidency. After several disagreements with Masisi, in particular accusing Masisi of authoritarian tendencies,{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b7362496-f71a-11e9-9ef3-eca8fc8f2d65|title=President Mokgweetsi Masisi holds on to power in Botswana poll|date=25 October 2019|website=Financial Times}} Khama decided to leave the BDP and join the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), a newly formed breakaway from the BDP. He campaigned for the BPF, which won three seats in the 2019 general elections in the Serowe area.{{Cite web|title=Botswana – Botswana since independence|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Botswana|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2020-05-26}}

In 2018, after resigning from the presidency, Khama became a member of the Board of Directors of the US-based organization Conservation International, which is also active in Botswana.{{Cite web|title=Khama joins Conservation International as a Distinguished Fellow|url=https://botswanaunplugged.com/10895/khama-joins-conservation-international-as-a-distinguished-fellow/|last=Co|first=Maverick Maven|date=2018-07-25|website=BotswanaUnplugged|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-23|archive-date=20 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520100700/http://botswanaunplugged.com/10895/khama-joins-conservation-international-as-a-distinguished-fellow/|url-status=dead}} In 2021, Khama went on a self-imposed exile, during which he claimed that there had been a plot to poison him.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-09 |title=How friends became foes in Africa's diamond state |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gr0p1000go |access-date=2024-10-09}}

In December 2022 a court in Botswana issued an arrest warrant for Khama for the possession of five illegal firearms after his failure to appear in court.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-30 |title=Ian Khama: Botswana issues arrest warrant for former president |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64124882 |access-date=2022-12-31}} On 13 September 2024, Ian Khama returned to Botswana after three years in exile, to appear in court and request to be released pending trial.{{Cite news |date=2024-09-13 |title=Surprise return to Botswana by ex-president to face trial |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0509kke8mo.amp |access-date=2024-09-14}} On 30 November 2024, he resumed his seat as Kgosikgolo of BaNgwato, taking the regal name Khama IV, amid celebrations at the Serowe Sports Complex attended by national and international dignitaries, ending a century of regency for BaNgwato.{{cite news |last=Sechele |first=Sechele |date=22 November 2024 |title=Khama IV finally breaks BaNgwato royal jinx |url=https://www.mmegi.bw/news/khama-iv-finally-breaks-bangwato-royal-jinx/news |work=Mmegi |location=Mahalapye |access-date=26 January 2025}} The incoming government following the 2024 Botswana elections dropped the firearms charges, which Khama had alleged were politically motivated tactics from the former Masisi government.{{cite news |last=Makhaiza |first=Larona |date=2 December 2024 |title='Still not safe for Tshekedi and Anthony' |url=https://www.mmegi.bw/news/still-not-safe-for-tshekedi-and-anthony/news |work=Mmegi |access-date=26 January 2025}}

On 20 January 2025, Khama was sworn in as a member of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi, the advisory body of hereditary chiefs advising Parliament.{{cite news |author= |date=21 January 2025 |title=Ian Khama Returns as Paramount Chief Sworn into Ntlo ya Dikgosi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98QCPvLy1QA |work=SnapFlash |access-date=26 January 2025}}

File:London Conference on The Illegal Wildlife Trade (12498902073).jpg in 2014.]]

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