By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Botswana’s former President Ian Khama has returned home from exile after three years ahead of an election in which his rival is seeking re-election.
He also appeared in court on Friday to face charges of illegally owning a gun and receiving stolen property where a court suspended two arrest warrants against him.
The warrants were issued on for failing to honour an invitation by authorities to answer the charges back in April 2022.
Khama had been in exile, mostly in the neighbouring South Africa since late 2021.
Illegal possession of a firearms, receiving stolen property and procuring the registration of a firearm by false pretence are some of the charges leveled against him.
The former president has denied the charges, saying they are politically motivated.
Khama, whose father Seretse Khama was Botswana’s founding president, quit the ruling Botswana Democratic Party in 2019 after falling out with his successor President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Khama backs the opposition Botswana Patriotic Front and had previously said he would return to Botswana to help oust the incumbent President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi in a national election on Oct. 30.
He will next appear in court on Sept. 23, magistrate Mareledi Dipate ordered.
Heritage Times HT reports that Masisi is seeking re-election as head of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party.
He succeeded Khama as party leader, but the two quickly fell out once Masisi became President.
Khama accuses him of authoritarianism in a nation regarded as one of Africa’s most stable and democratic countries.
Cheers On His Return
As he left the court room on Friday, his supporters chanted, “The general is back,” referring to his role as former commander of the Botswana Defense Force.
Addressing journalists outside court, his lawyer Mack said: “The state wanted him back in the country and now he is back. He is in the country for as much as he likes.”
Khama is a recipient of the African Philanthropist Award. He bagged the prestigious Pan-African award at the inaugural edition of the African Heritage Awards and Concert held in Kigali, Rwanda in 2023.
He was also the Chairman of the sequel held earlier this year in Lagos, Nigeria.
