OSAC Country Security Report Botswana Last Updated: July 28, 2021 Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Botswana at Level 4, indicating that travelers should not travel to Botswana due to COVID-19. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Botswana 41 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as being at a High state of peace. Crime Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Gaborone as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Botswana. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Crime: General Threat Criminal incidents, particularly crimes of opportunity (e.g., purse snatchings, smash-and-grabs from parked cars and in traffic, residential burglaries), can occur regardless of location. Theft of mobile phones, laptop computers, and other mobile devices are common. Criminals can be confrontational. Criminals often arm themselves with knives or blunt objects (e.g., tools, shovels, bats). Botswana has strict gun-control laws, but criminals reportedly smuggle firearms from neighboring countries where weapons are inexpensive and readily available. A public awareness campaign highlights this issue and requests the public report illegal firearms to the police. Reporting indicates instances of non-violent residential burglaries and violent home invasions. Incidents affect local residents, expatriates, and visitors alike. Robberies and burglaries tend to spike during the holiday seasons. Those living in Botswana, especially in major cities, should upgrade security at their residences to reduce vulnerability to home invasion. Intrusion alarms, electric fences, perimeter lighting, telephone/camera intercom systems, and window/door grilles are key components of a comprehensive, robust residential security program. The government began to mandate a COVID-related curfew in December 2020. The nationwide curfew restricts movement of all people, except those with a movement permit for essential services, from 2200 to 0400. The government may impose further localized lockdowns. Recent reporting suggest that criminals are using pellet guns to conduct home invasions during early morning curfew hours. Because pellet guns (pistol and rifles) look similar to actual guns, criminals are using intimidation to carry out their criminal activity. The Botswana Police Service has increased patrols throughout Gaborone to thwart these activities. Monitor the Government of Botswana’s Facebook page for updates to the curfew. 1 Crime: Areas of Concern Incidents of crime in Botswana know no boundaries. Exercise caution when visiting tourist sites in Gaborone and places where groups congregate. Crimes of opportunity can occur regardless of location. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit. Kidnapping Threat There is no reporting suggesting an existing kidnapping threat in Botswana. U.S. Embassy Gaborone is not aware of any kidnapping cases that occurred in Botswana in 2020. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Botswana. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips. Drug Crime Narcotic use and drug related crimes in Botswana is minimal, however the Government of Botswana has noted a growing problem of drug use among adolescents. Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information. Terrorism Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Gaborone as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Botswana. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Terrorism Index 2020 ranks Botswana 135 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as having No Impact from terrorism. Terrorism: General Threat Indigenous terrorism is not a known issue in the country. However, terrorist threats know no boundaries. The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Gaborone as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Elections/Political Stability General elections in October 2019 were peaceful, with a smooth transition for elected officials. The political environment in Botswana is stable. 2 Protest & Demonstration Activity Protest and demonstrations do not frequently occur in Botswana, but there were a few protests in 2020. Typically, protests and other demonstration activities result in a low turnout and often target Government of Botswana policy. Protests in 2020 occurred at government ministries and on a university campus. Protests and demonstrations are typically peaceful. For more information, review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest. Law Enforcement Concerns: Security Agencies The Botswana Police Service is responsible for providing law enforcement service. The Botswana Police College outside of Gaborone hosts the U.S.-led International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), a focal point for education and development for law enforcement agencies across Africa. The Botswana Police Service has several district substations located throughout Botswana. The Botswana Police Service is professional, although limited in numbers and essential services to lessen crimes occurring in and around populated and rural areas. The Botswana Defense Force, which reports to the president through the ministers of defense, justice, and security, is responsible for external security and has some domestic security responsibilities. The Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services, which reports to the Office of the President, collects and evaluates external and internal intelligence, provides personal protection to high-level government officials, and advises the presidency and government on matters of national security. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces have committed some abuses. Police Response The Botswana Police is responsive to emergency calls, but response time to the scene of incident is slow compared to the United States. In response to shortfalls, there are community policing programs in many neighborhoods in Gaborone and other major cities such as Maun and Francistown. Community Policing programs have been effective at deterring criminal elements when there is active support of private citizens, who report crimes through social media platforms the Botswana Police Service monitor. The Botswana Police Service also uses CCTV to monitor neighborhoods and major intersections through a program called the “Safe City Project.” As of 2020, the government has installed more than 500 surveillance cameras in Gaborone and Francistown to supplement Police services. The program is effective, and the Government of Botswana has called for additional surveillance cameras to be installed through 2021 and beyond. The Safe City Project’s CCTV capabilities are furnished in cooperation with the Chinese telecom company, Huawei. Law Enforcement Concerns: Emergency Contact/Information The emergency lines in Botswana are 999 for police, and 998 for fire. The police are well-intentioned and active in their efforts to prevent and combat crime. However, personnel and resource shortages limit operational effectiveness. Vehicle and foot patrols in residential and commercial areas are infrequent. Mobile response capability is limited. 3 Transportation Security Road Safety Vehicles drive on the left side of the road in Botswana. Authorities require a valid international driver’s license, along with vehicle registration documents, to drive in Botswana. Report traffic accidents to the Botswana Police Service. Major roads are paved and in good condition, but some lack a substantial shoulder for emergency pull- offs. Most secondary roads are gravel or hard-packed earth. Vegetation can grow up to/over the edges of roads, particularly during the rainy season (November through March), causing a lack of visibility and concealing hazards at the side of the road. Intoxicated drivers and large numbers of pedestrians and hitchhikers in the roadways make fatal accidents a frequent occurrence, especially on weekends and end-of-month Friday paydays. Driving can be challenging and sometimes dangerous. There are a high number of traffic accidents often due to poor driving habits, long stretches of two-lane highways (often without shoulders), excessive speeds, poor/non-existent street lighting, non-functioning traffic signals, and animals (e.g., cows, donkeys, goats) often found feeding alongside, crossing, or standing in the road. On some stretches of highway, drivers may also encounter elephants and other wildlife. Calves, foals, and young goats present a particular danger, as they are skittish and may suddenly rush onto the road. Approach traffic lights with caution, as opposing traffic frequently continues well after a