Conservation Politics in Botswana’s ‘Green State’

Nature conservation has been key to Botswana’s emergence as a democratic and economic model among African states. Under the stewardship of the Botswana Democratic Party, the country was internationally acclaimed as a conservation success story. Much of this success was linked to former President Ian Khama. But five decades of BDP dominance in domestic politics was characterized by environmental injustice inflicted on Indigenous people and conservation-adjacent communities. In November 2024, the BDP conceded its first election defeat and the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change took office, promising to defend human rights. However, the new government faces obstacles in its relations with Khama, who has dominated the wildlife economy since the 1980s.