Botswana - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Botswana, it was the name Botswana means "Land of the Tswana," referring to the country's largest ethnic group. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 10 districts and 6 town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Phikwe*, South East, Southern, Sowa Town*
National symbols
Zebra.
The flag
The National flag of Botswana has .
Info
The National Anthem
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More about the government of Botswana
| Date of Independence | 30 September 1966 (from the UK) |
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| National holiday | Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model, including customary and common law |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1960 (pre-independence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 |
| Amendment process | Proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval in two successive Assembly votes with at least two-thirds majority in the final vote; proposals to amend constitutional provisions on fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and branches of government, and public services also requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and assent by the president of the republic |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 10 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024) |
| Head of government | President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the president |
| Election/appointment process | president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); vice president appointed by the president |
| Most recent election date | 31 October 2024 |
| Election results | BOKO's UDC won 35 seats in the National Assembly, which then selected BOKO as president |
| Expected date of next election | October 2029 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Parliament |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Chamber name | National Assembly |
| Number of seats | 69 (61 directly elected; 6 indirectly elected) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 10/30/2024 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) (36); Botswana Congress Party (BCP) (15); Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) (5); Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) (4); Other (1) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 9% |
| Expected date of next election | October 2029 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and a number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70 |
| Subordinate courts | Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in 3 districts); Magistrates Courts (1 in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative’s Court; Headman's Court |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Mpho Churchill MOPHUTING (since 18 September 2024) |
| Chancery | 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 244-4990 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 244-4164 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] http://www.botswanaembassy.org/ |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Howard A. VAN VRANKEN (since 24 May 2023) |
| Embassy | Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone |
| Mailing address | 2170 Gaborone Place, Washington DC 20521-2170 |
| Telephone | [267] 395-3982 |
| FAX | [267] 318-0232 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://bw.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Tsodilo Hills (c); Okavango Delta (n) |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Botswana
Info
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Botswana
Want to know more about Botswana? Check all different factbooks for Botswana below.
