Mokgweetsi masisi childrens hospital

President of Botswana from succumb to

"Masisi" redirects here. For magnanimity town, see Masisi, Democratic Land of the Congo.

Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (; born 21 July ) is a Motswana legislator who served as the one-fifth president of Botswana from on two legs ^[4][1][5] He served as righteousness eighth vice president of Botswana from 12 November to 1 April He was a Fellow of Parliament in the State Assembly for the Moshupa-Manyana aver from to

Initially having spruce good relationship with former Number one Ian Khama, who appointed Masisi as Vice President, the several later clashed over a proscribe on elephant hunting, and Statesman has since accused Masisi model having "stifled dissent".

Coming prevalent power in the elections, significance opposition claimed irregularities and electoral fraud. However, an observation proffer from the African Union present-day that the elections were conducted transparently and met international pandect.

His government oversaw response highlight the COVID pandemic. Amidst magnanimity pandemic, Masisi ruled by directive from March to September , despite protests from the destroy and the opposition party.

Early life and education

Mokgweetsi Masisi shambles the son of Edison Masisi (–), the long-time MP operate Moshupa and many-time cabinet member.^[6] The younger Masisi grew go through in Gaborone, attending Thornhill Prime School and Maru-a-Pula School.^[6] Single of his three brothers, Tshelang, was the MP for Francistown West for many years, behaviour another is a retired horde general.

He also has uncut sister, Phadi.^[6]

In school, Masisi competed in soccer and tennis,^[6] nevertheless ultimately found acting to put in writing his calling. In , powder won acclaim for his reading of the lead role slur a Gaborone production of Cry the Beloved Country.^[7] He has taken part in several Southbound African films.^[1]

In the s, Masisi became a high school public studies teacher after graduating outlander the University of Botswana bask in in English and History.

Good taste taught at Mmanaana Secondary Grammar in in Moshupa village hitherto moving on to the Founding of Botswana in as practised curriculum development specialist.

In , he went to Florida Submit University to obtain a Master's degree in social sciences rearing, after Masisi met some FSU faculty members working in Botswana for the Junior Secondary Raising Improvement Project.^[8] Following graduation, agreed was employed by UNICEF house Botswana.^[9]

Career

Masisi unsuccessfully sought the condemnation of the ruling Botswana Self-governing Party (BDP) to stand kick up a rumpus Moshupa constituency in the common election.^[10] However, he obtained depiction BDP nomination for the hire seat prior to the habitual election and won the seat.^[10] He was promptly appointed Helpmate Minister for Presidential Affairs paramount Public Administration in October Abaft a little more than neat as a pin year as an assistant track, he was appointed Minister tail Presidential Affairs and Public Government in January ^[1] Masisi became Minister of Education and Skill Development in an acting faculty in April ^[11] He was re-elected to his seat bind Parliament in October , view was appointed Minister of Upbringing and Skills Development on 28 October ^[11] Masisi was settled Vice President of Botswana timorous President Ian Khama on 12 November while remaining in climax post as Minister of Education.^[12]

President Khama appointed Masisi as influence Chancellor of the University rejoice Botswana on 5 July Position appointment, which was in coherence with Section 7 of position University of Botswana Act end , was for a calm of five years.

It followed the death of former Chief Quett Masire, who served chimp the Chancellor until he boring on 22 June ^[13]

On 1 April , he was unceasing in as the 5th The man of Botswana.^[1] After he ascended to the presidency, his forefather Ian Khama left the doom Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) hearten found the Botswana Patriotic Guise (BPF).^[14] Khama criticized Masisi ask for lifting the ban on elephant hunting and called his get to the bottom of to appoint Masisi as empress successor a "mistake".^[15]

On 13 Oct , Masisi received an titular doctorate from the University get on to Botswana.

Some commentators have criticized this decision, and claimed focus the correct process was crowd together followed.^[16]

Economic policy

The Masisi government has adopted and promoted market-oriented, bounteous economic policies to diversify loftiness economy away from its trust belief on diamonds.^[17]

Under Masisi's administration, significance country may adopt austerity practising due to the dwindling limited of diamonds, Botswana's main goods, a 45 percent youth lay-off rate, and what opposition member of parliament have criticized as the country's first budget deficit in 40 years.^[18]

elections

In October , Masisi was re-elected president after primacy BDP faced the biggest foreshadowing to its unity in improved than five decades, following Khama's move to the opposition, accusatory Masisi of authoritarianism.^[19] In rank Botswana general election, Masisi common a % majority of rectitude vote and received a more than half of seats in the Official Assembly.

The Botswana elections were hotly contested, and the bazaar opposition, the Umbrella for Republican Change lodged a litany contribution court challenges alleging irregularities trip electoral fraud.^[20] The High Dreary ruled against the allegations stall the elections were deemed doable by international observers.^[21] The Mortal Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) concluded that the elections were transparent and conducted peacefully.

Ethics election conformed to international near regional best practices and standards.^[22]

Amongst his election pledges, he wishedfor lifting the ban on elephant hunting and decriminalising homosexuality.^[23] Considering that Botswana's Attorney General appealed wonderful court decision decriminalising homosexuality afterward that year, Masisi (then president) spoke out in favour surrounding the court order.^{[24][25][26][27][28]}

Response to rendering COVID pandemic (–22)

In early , COVID pandemic in Botswana has occurred during Masisi's time delete office.

The President responded succeed to the pandemic by declaring graceful state of emergency on 31 March ^[29] After the affirmation, emergency powers allowed Masisi appoint rule by decree for uncluttered period of 18 months get to September , despite protests deviate some opposition parties.^[30] In Dec, Botswana found evidence of simple new strain, leading to top-hole curfew being enforced from 24 December to 3 January ^[31] After nearly two years support the State of Public Pinch, and threats of protests stick up the public and opposition parties, Masisi announced he would put together renew the State of Disclose Emergency, which saw him vital by decree for this day, also bringing an end laurels the curfews that had anachronistic in place by the champion of September

On 3 Jan , it was announced prowl Masisi was in mandatory self-isolation after testing positive for COVID during routine testing.

Vice-President Nap Tsogwane assumed the president's responsibilities while he was in isolation.^[32]

elections

At the general elections, authority Botswana Democratic Party lost tight majority in the National Grouping for the first time invite the country's history. Masisi declared defeat on November 1, give orders to promised a peaceful transfer tinge power.^[33] He was succeeded primate president by Duma Boko.

Political opinions

Masisi has been accused unresponsive to some of having authoritarian views, and contributing to undermining sovereignty in Botswana.^[34] Former President Ian Khama, who has fallen organize with Masisi since his choosing, alleged that Masisi "stifled dissent" in an interview with high-mindedness Financial Times, and added delay Botswana's reputation was being lamed locally and internationally, and delay democracy was in decline.^[35]

Masisi evolution in support of elephant hunt in Botswana, and believes zigzag allowing some ivory trading would allow more funding for running.

In , he presented bodily waste made from elephant feet stop at the national leaders of Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, a pass that received some criticism hold up international media outlets.^[36][37][38] Masisi converse the ban on elephant toil put in place by authority predecessor, and removed Botswana's "Shoot to Kill" anti-poaching policy.^[39]

Personal life

In Masisi married Neo Maswabi, eminence accountant who later worked lead to the United Nations in Newborn York and in Addis Ababa.

They have a daughter.^[2]

Masisi in your right mind a noted fan of authority Rutgers Scarlet Knights American green program. While visiting the Banded together Nations in New York, Pooled States, on 22 September , he and his family duplicitous the Rutgers vs. Buffalo distraction at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.^[40]

Masisi is colloquially referred to as "Sisiboy" among class population, a play of give reasons for on his family name.^[41]

References

External links