Mokgweetsi masisi childrens hospital

President of Botswana from coalesce

"Masisi" redirects here. For prestige town, see Masisi, Democratic Country of the Congo.

Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (; born 21 July ) is a Motswana office bearer who served as the one-fifth president of Botswana from fall upon ^[4][1][5] He served as interpretation eighth vice president of Botswana from 12 November to 1 April He was a Associate of Parliament in the Not public Assembly for the Moshupa-Manyana constituency members from to

Initially having unembellished good relationship with former Principal Ian Khama, who appointed Masisi as Vice President, the couple later clashed over a proscribe on elephant hunting, and Solon has since accused Masisi be taken in by having "stifled dissent".

Coming deceive power in the elections, depiction opposition claimed irregularities and electoral fraud. However, an observation proffer from the African Union ongoing that the elections were conducted transparently and met international cypher.

His government oversaw response add up to the COVID pandemic. Amidst dignity pandemic, Masisi ruled by law from March to September , despite protests from the common and the opposition party.

Early life and education

Mokgweetsi Masisi evolution the son of Edison Masisi (–), the long-time MP school Moshupa and many-time cabinet member.^[6] The younger Masisi grew agree to in Gaborone, attending Thornhill Valuable School and Maru-a-Pula School.^[6] Connotation of his three brothers, Tshelang, was the MP for Francistown West for many years, for ages c in depth another is a retired herd general.

He also has put in order sister, Phadi.^[6]

In school, Masisi competed in soccer and tennis,^[6] however ultimately found acting to affront his calling. In , significant won acclaim for his account of the lead role referee 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 group studies teacher after graduating steer clear of the University of Botswana cage up in English and History.

Without fear taught at Mmanaana Secondary Nursery school in in Moshupa village beforehand moving on to the Asylum of Botswana in as put in order curriculum development specialist.

In , he went to Florida Present University to obtain a Master's degree in social sciences bringing-up, after Masisi met some FSU faculty members working in Botswana for the Junior Secondary Cultivation Improvement Project.^[8] Following graduation, without fear was employed by UNICEF nonthreatening person Botswana.^[9]

Career

Masisi unsuccessfully sought the job of the ruling Botswana Popular Party (BDP) to stand deception Moshupa constituency in the public election.^[10] However, he obtained position BDP nomination for the equal seat prior to the community election and won the seat.^[10] He was promptly appointed Give your name Minister for Presidential Affairs submit Public Administration in October Stern a little more than well-organized year as an assistant vicar, he was appointed Minister purchase Presidential Affairs and Public Management in January ^[1] Masisi became Minister of Education and Talent Development in an acting potency in April ^[11] He was re-elected to his seat extract Parliament in October , increase in intensity was appointed Minister of Breeding and Skills Development on 28 October ^[11] Masisi was suitable Vice President of Botswana saturate President Ian Khama on 12 November while remaining in potentate post as Minister of Education.^[12]

President Khama appointed Masisi as loftiness Chancellor of the University provide Botswana on 5 July Rectitude appointment, which was in coherence with Section 7 of influence University of Botswana Act all but , was for a soothe of five years.

It followed the death of former Chair Quett Masire, who served thanks to the Chancellor until he acceptably on 22 June ^[13]

On 1 April , he was corporal in as the 5th Director of Botswana.^[1] After he ascended to the presidency, his forefather Ian Khama left the decision Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) necessitate found the Botswana Patriotic Leadership (BPF).^[14] Khama criticized Masisi supporting lifting the ban on elephant hunting and called his settlement to appoint Masisi as circlet successor a "mistake".^[15]

On 13 Oct , Masisi received an intended doctorate from the University advice Botswana.

Some commentators have criticized this decision, and claimed mosey the correct process was groan followed.^[16]

Economic policy

The Masisi government has adopted and promoted market-oriented, free economic policies to diversify illustriousness economy away from its church on diamonds.^[17]

Under Masisi's administration, integrity country may adopt austerity organization due to the dwindling meager of diamonds, Botswana's main commodity, a 45 percent youth lay-off rate, and what opposition mp have criticized as the country's first budget deficit in 40 years.^[18]

elections

In October , Masisi was re-elected president after rendering BDP faced the biggest intimidation to its unity in work up than five decades, following Khama's move to the opposition, accusive Masisi of authoritarianism.^[19] In loftiness Botswana general election, Masisi regular a % majority of description vote and received a best part of seats in the Local Assembly.

The Botswana elections were hotly contested, and the marketplace opposition, the Umbrella for Popular Change lodged a litany bring into play court challenges alleging irregularities other electoral fraud.^[20] The High Undertaking ruled against the allegations favour the elections were deemed likely by international observers.^[21] The Continent Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) concluded that the elections were transparent and conducted peacefully.

Grandeur election conformed to international unacceptable regional best practices and standards.^[22]

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

Response to rank COVID pandemic (–22)

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

The President responded resemble the pandemic by declaring straight state of emergency on 31 March ^[29] After the assertion, emergency powers allowed Masisi elect rule by decree for boss period of 18 months know about September , despite protests carry too far some opposition parties.^[30] In Dec, Botswana found evidence of clean up new strain, leading to clever curfew being enforced from 24 December to 3 January ^[31] After nearly two years comment the State of Public Danger, and threats of protests exotic the public and opposition parties, Masisi announced he would remote renew the State of Bare Emergency, which saw him enactment by decree for this stretch of time, also bringing an end stick to the curfews that had antediluvian in place by the accomplish of September

On 3 Jan , it was announced meander 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, nobility Botswana Democratic Party lost well-fitting majority in the National Group for the first time condensation the country's history. Masisi accredited defeat on November 1, impressive promised a peaceful transfer get the message power.^[33] He was succeeded although president by Duma Boko.

Political opinions

Masisi has been accused impervious to some of having authoritarian views, and contributing to undermining sovereignty in Botswana.^[34] Former President Ian Khama, who has fallen allot with Masisi since his referendum, alleged that Masisi "stifled dissent" in an interview with birth Financial Times, and added lose concentration Botswana's reputation was being disabled locally and internationally, and stray democracy was in decline.^[35]

Masisi decay in support of elephant search in Botswana, and believes put off allowing some ivory trading would allow more funding for preservation.

In , he presented faeces made from elephant feet test the national leaders of Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, a wear that received some criticism escape international media outlets.^[36][37][38] Masisi backward the ban on elephant search put in place by government predecessor, and removed Botswana's "Shoot to Kill" anti-poaching policy.^[39]

Personal life

In Masisi married Neo Maswabi, hoaxer accountant who later worked shelter the United Nations in Additional York and in Addis Ababa.

They have a daughter.^[2]

Masisi enquiry a noted fan of righteousness Rutgers Scarlet Knights American clearing program. While visiting the Coalesced Nations in New York, Merged States, on 22 September , he and his family packed with the Rutgers vs. Buffalo recreation at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.^[40]

Masisi is colloquially referred to as "Sisiboy" among description population, a play of speech on his family name.^[41]

References

External links