Botswana President Ian Khama (right) walks alongside Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe at a past SADC summit. FILE PHOTO | FERHAT MOMADE |
What you need to know:
Ian Khama took over as president in April 2008.
He secured a five-year term in October 2009 after the ruling Botswana Democratic Party swept to victory in a parliamentary election.
His no-nonsense approach has made him popular abroad as he has broken ranks with regional leaders' timid approach to the democratic abuses by Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.
Botswana's President Ian Khama will step down next year, the media reported.
The Southern Times newspaper Monday said President Khama, who also leads the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), will be replaced by his deputy President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Seretse Khama Ian Khama - the son of Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana's first post-independence leader - took over as president in April 2008.
He was the chosen successor of Festus Mogae, who stepped down at the end of his second term, after a decade at the helm.
The younger Khama secured a five-year term in October 2009 after BDP swept to victory in a parliamentary election.
He secured a second term following the August 2014 polls, in which his party won the most seats.
He had became the Botswana vice-president in 1998.
The forthcoming transfer of power will take place during the BDP congress, the Southern Times newspaper reported.
BDP has governed the country since independence in 1966.
According to the the Southern Times, the tradition of the BDP was that the vice-president should automatically succeed the outgoing president.
Two senior BDP officials, former ambassador to Japan Jacob Nkate and Infrastructure minister Nonofo Molefhi, have also reportedly shown interest in the party’s top seat.
According to the Southern Times, Mr Masisi, currently the BDP chairperson, had an advantage over his opponents because he was in control of the party structures.
BDP Secretary General, Botsalo Ntuane was quoted as saying his party’s constitution permits any member in good standing to contest for any vacant position.
According to local media, President Khama prefers his younger brother Tshekedi Khama becoming president, claims the ruling party has already denied.
Botswana is one of the Africa’s most stable countries and the continent's longest continuous multi-party democracy.
The southern African nation was relatively free of corruption and has a good human rights record.
Whereas critics describe President Khama as an authoritarian leader, his supporters say he was decisive and efficient.
His no-nonsense approach has made him popular abroad as he has broken ranks with regional leaders' timid approach to the democratic abuses by Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.
President Khama was born in the UK while his father was in exile.
He is a graduate of Sandhurst college in Britain and was the commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
