Not the best news I guess but needs to be taken in overall context? Factionalism is nothing new and part of any democratic system.
On the other hand Botswana has developed an international reputation as one of the most stable of all nations in Africa. There are numerous articles on point via the net if anyone cares to do the research.
Thought this article from late 2017 provided a half decent overview from which to explore further :
Botswana
In November 2008, Festus Gontebanye Mogae, the former president of Botswana received an award from (Sarkin & Cook, 2008)Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The reason why Botswana’s president won was because [Botswana‘s] democracy was strong, stable and rooted in the rule of law. Botswana was widely regarded as one of the more effective countries in the world in combating corruption. President Mogae‘s outstanding leadership has ensured Botswana‘s continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV/AIDS pandemic which threatened the future of his country and people. The Prize Committee believed that good governance requires an environment conducive to peace, security and development, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights. Botswana has had to address the challenge of advancing each in a balanced way. This has been helped by the independence and integrity of its institutions which bodes well for further progress towards spreading wealth and opportunity across all sectors of Botswana society. Botswana’s democracy has been characterized by:
mce-anchorUninterrupted Free Elections
Botswana is one of a few African countries that have enjoyed free and uninterrupted elections in Africa since it gained independence from Britain. Having held free elections since it gained independence, Botswana portrays an ideal democracy in Africa. Civilian rule has been uninterrupted by the military or any autocratic governments.
mce-anchorAccountability and Transparency
Botswana has had a reputation for accountability and transparency. Accountability and transparency have been formalized through mechanisms such as the constitution and legislation requiring open government, accountability, and transparency. Presidents of Botswana have insisted on governments accountability mechanism and limiting corruption
mce-anchorAnticorruption Powers
Botswana’s government enacted a bill in 1994 that set up an anticorruption body. The anti-corruption body was vested with the powers to conduct investigations and make arrests. (Sarkin & Cook, 2008) In Botswana, there are laws that establish civilian supervision over the police and a process, through a supervisory body, for civilians to lodge complaints against police abuses and other human rights violations.
mce-anchorFundamental human rights
The constitution of Botswana guarantees the freedoms of speech and the press, association, religion and right to equal protection by the law. The right of the citizens is protected by the constitution which is the supreme law of Botswana.
There are many reasons for Botswana‘s democratic success. Some reasons are due to Botswana‘s unique history and context, a few are coincidental, but several are as a result of efforts put in by the country‘s leaders (Sarkin & Cook, 2008). (Hazan, 2006)Scholars have debated these achievements, resulting in many assessments applauding Botswana and a handful that note Botswana‘s success story is not without significant flaws. Some of these flaws include oppression of the minority San tribe, expulsion of foreign reports and scholars, and limitations on access to information
Overall though these regions need power and that's what we as a Co are about. Whoever ends up taking the election will not want to delay progress. Co is progressing project in a logical and sensible manner. They are proving up their resource and whether ultimately they are successful in their bid for the power station (or not)...it is the resource that ultimately produces and where base value is. That resource is huge. 100 Megawatt stations are big ticket items. Govt may be pushing for that but if competition can come up with the sheckles to fund thst commitment is another question altogether. Whatever the outcome I choose to look at it from the perspective that Govt is obviously serious about the project so they must be very confident about the resource.
Anyway...lots of interesting news ahead and BOD has taken up a good chunk of shares from the recent CR so that should instil another level of confidence for investors. Be watching with interest but certainly not getting too concerned on the political aspect...in general I think the entire temperment across Africa is nationalist unity with realisation that if living standards are to rise then political stability needs to be shown for investment to flow in. Clear that infrastructural growth depends on energy and there are massive projects going on all over Africa to ensure base load grid capacity ranging from hydrocarbon to renewable energy projects.
TOU Price at posting:
11.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
