Mokgweetsi Masisi

Mokgweetsi Masisi
Masisi in 2023
5th President of Botswana
Assumed office
1 April 2018
Vice PresidentSlumber Tsogwane
Preceded byIan Khama
Chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party
In office
1 April 2017 – 4 April 2018
Preceded byIan Khama
Succeeded bySlumber Tsogwane
8th Vice President of Botswana
In office
12 November 2014 – 1 April 2018
PresidentIan Khama
Preceded byPonatshego Kedikilwe
Succeeded bySlumber Tsogwane
Member of Parliament for
Moshupa / Manyana
In office
2009 – 1 April 2018
PresidentIan Khama
Preceded byMaitlhoko Mooka
Succeeded byKarabo Gare
Personal details
Born
Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

(1961-07-21) 21 July 1961 (age 62)[1]
Moshupa, Bechuanaland
(now Botswana)
NationalityBotswana
Political partyBotswana Democratic Party
Spouse
(m. 2002)
Children1[2]
ResidenceBotswana State House
Alma materUniversity of Botswana
Florida State University
Occupation
  • Politician
  • teacher
  • author
ProfessionTeacher[3]
NicknameSisiboy

Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (/mɔːkˈwtsi/; born 21 July 1961) is a Botswana politician who is the fifth and current President of Botswana, serving since 2018.[4][1][5] He served as the 8th Vice President of Botswana from 12 November 2014 to 1 April 2018. He was a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly for the Moshupa-Manyana constituency from 2009 to 2018.

Initially having a good relationship with former President Ian Khama, who appointed Masisi as Vice President, the two later clashed over a ban on elephant hunting, and Khama has since accused Masisi of having "stifled dissent". Coming to power in the 2019 elections, the opposition claimed irregularities and electoral fraud, however an observation mission from the African Union reported that the elections were conducted transparently and met international standards.

His government oversaw response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the pandemic, Masisi ruled by decree from March 2020 to September 2021, despite protests from the public and the opposition party.

  1. ^ a b "Botswana: Mokgweetsi Masisi takes over presidency amid opposition resurgence". Deutsche Welle. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Staff corner - Profile" (PDF). UN Staff Voice. No. 6. June 2018. pp. 36–39. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Profile of His Honour Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, Vice President of The Republic of Botswana". Government of Botswana. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  4. ^ Guardian, INK Centre for Investigative Journalism, Botswana (3 April 2018). "Who is Botswana's new President Mokgweetsi Masisi?". The M&G Online. Retrieved 14 May 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Botswana inaugurates new president Masisi in smooth handover". France 24. 1 April 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.

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