Will US military build a military base in Botswana?

Botswana Government has given the American military permission to start construction of facilities inside the Thebephatshwa air base, the United States Embassy in Gaborone has confirmed.

Does Botswana have a French military base?

During the base’s early days there were also allegations of French involvement, all of them strenuously denied by Botswana Government. Thebephatshwa military airbase is often adduced by international detractors including in Southern Africa and the continent at large that Botswana is an American client state.

Does Botswana participate in joint military exercises?

Joint Military Exercises: Botswana Defence Force (BDF) regularly participates in joint military exercises with the US military, particularly through the AFRICOM (United States Africa Command).

Do US military drills take place in Botswana?

Indeed, joint military drills do take place between Botswana and the US and other countries that harbour US bases as the Americans train them in, among others, tactics of survival in the battle against an enemy and as the US says to “combat terrorism” where there is a threat.

Will Botswana host US military exercise?

It is not the first time Botswana host US military exercise of that magnitude; having hosted Southern Accord in 2012. In 2012, the exercise involved just over battalion strength of the two militaries. Botswana is proving to be US’ ‘partner of choice’ in the region for its military exercise and operations.

Will a US military base threaten Botswana's Independence?

Gobotswamang said the presence of the American military base in the country would drastically threaten Botswana’s independence in that “we will then not be able to question American government decisions that wrongly affect us”.