Unlike other African countries, the southern African nation's road to
independence was peaceful. There was no civil war, no shedding of
blood. This peaceful atmosphere has remained until today.
"From
the beginning we had free and fair elections in a multi-party democracy.
Opposition parties were never forced to hide," Morima said in an
interview with DW. He also praised the country's independent legal
system.
"Several judges have pronounced verdicts against the government in sensitive cases and the government accepted this," he said.
For
years Botswana has occupied a place in the top fifth of Transparency
International's Anti-Corruption Index. It is currently ranked 35th,
making it the highest-placed African country by far. In Botswana, a
wealth of raw materials – which in other countries breeds corruption –
seems to have had a positive effect. The revenue earned from diamond
production has been put into improving the health service and
diversifying the economy. [...]
Another cause of concern for observers is the treatment of the San
ethnic group, often referred to as "bushmen," because of their way of
life. They are increasingly being forced to abandon their traditions,
said Linda Poppe, coordinator in Germany of the organization Survival
International. Ten years ago, the Supreme Court passed a landmark
verdict granting the San the right to live and to hunt on their
traditional lands. However, said Poppe, the government persistently
ignores this verdict.
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