GABORONE, Sept. 13 — Ian Khama, Botswana’s former president, returned to the country on Friday after a nearly three-year exile. Khama appeared in court today to address charges related to illegal firearm possession and receiving stolen property.
The court has suspended two arrest warrants that were issued in April 2022 for Khama’s failure to attend a prior court date. Khama, who had been living mostly in South Africa since late 2021, faces accusations of unlawful firearm possession, receiving stolen goods, and falsifying firearm registration. He has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.
Khama’s return is timed with the upcoming national election on October 30, where he is expected to support the opposition Botswana Patriotic Front in its bid to unseat President Mokgweetsi Masisi, his former ally turned rival.
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