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Botswana

Republic of Botswana

Mixed Roman-Dutch and English common lawParliamentary republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Gaborone
Population
2,680,000
Languages
English, Setswana
Currency
BWP

Botswana · Constitution

Constitution of Botswana

In continuous force since independence in 1966 with no coup, suspension or replacement — among the longest unbroken constitutional records in Africa. It establishes a parliamentary republic with an executive President elected by the National Assembly, and entrenches a chapter of civil and political rights. It contains no justiciable socio-economic rights. The non-discrimination clause in section 15 historically omitted sex, and the courts read equality in rather than waiting for amendment.

The constitutional text

In continuous force since independence in 1966 with no coup, suspension or replacement — among the longest unbroken constitutional records in Africa. It establishes a parliamentary republic with an executive President elected by the National Assembly, and entrenches a chapter of civil and political rights. It contains no justiciable socio-economic rights. The non-discrimination clause in section 15 historically omitted sex, and the courts read equality in rather than waiting for amendment.

Separation of powers

Unitary. Districts and sub-districts administer central policy, and the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi) is an advisory chamber that must be consulted on bills affecting customary law, tribal organisation and tribal property.

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