The Botswana Defence Force and public trust: The military dilemma in a democracy

This research paper examines the evolution of civil-military relations in Botswana, focusing on how the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has navigated the tension between operational secrecy, military spending, and the need for public trust within a democratic framework. It details the BDF's transition from a force struggling with legitimacy during South African cross-border raids to one seeking public acceptance through humanitarian missions and domestic support roles.

• The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) was established on 15 April 1977, driven by both civil society pressure and the need to protect territorial integrity following incursions by the Smith regime in Southern Rhodesia into villages such as Mapoka, Ramokgwebana, Moroka, and Nlakhwane.
• Public trust in the BDF was severely damaged during the 1980s due to the force's inability to stop cross-border raids by the South African Defence Force, as well as incidents of BDF soldiers killing civilians, including a man named Mr. Archibald in Francistown and another civilian near Mogoditshane village on 20 April 1990.
• There is a significant tension in Botswana regarding military spending; the BDF's annual budget grew from 208 million pula to 824 million pula over ten years (by 1998), which critics argue diverts essential funds from the healthcare and education sectors.
• The BDF operates under a 'military dilemma' where it must balance the functional necessity of secrecy for national security against the democratic demand for transparency and accountability.
• Since 1996, the BDF has attempted to reclaim public trust through a public relations offensive, increased engagement with academia, and participation in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions in Somalia, Mozambique, and Lesotho.
• The BDF has taken on non-combatant domestic roles, such as 'Operation Provide Comfort' to assist police in fighting crime in Gaborone starting around 1994, and participating in anti-poaching activities to support game scouts.
• The BDF continues to exclude women from service, citing the increased expenses required to create conducive conditions for their stay, despite opposition from human rights organisations and female politicians.

APA

Kenosi, L. (n.d.). The Botswana Defence Force and public trust: The military dilemma in a democracy. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/OURSELVESKENOSI.PDF

Chicago

Kenosi, Lekoko. The Botswana Defence Force and public trust: The military dilemma in a democracy. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/OURSELVESKENOSI.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kenosi |first1=Lekoko |title=The Botswana Defence Force and public trust: The military dilemma in a democracy |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/OURSELVESKENOSI.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kenosindbotswana, author = {Kenosi, Lekoko}, title = {{The Botswana Defence Force and public trust: The military dilemma in a democracy}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/OURSELVESKENOSI.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }