Among the committees the BDF regularly engages with are the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Finance and Estimates Committee as well as the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security.

“I have realised that successive commanders of the BDF have taken this committee seriously. The BDF has lived up to expectations by allowing itself to be scrutinised by Members of Parliament,” said the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, during a courtesy call by BDF Commander, General Mpho Mophuting last Friday.

However, Mr Keorapetse underscored that the military sector remained a highly specialised and often contentious field that was frequently misunderstood by politicians.

In the current Botswana Parliament, the challenge is compounded by the fact that 46 out of 61 members are new entrants, which may impact the effectiveness of their oversight role.

“If we do not build capacity now, Parliament may fail in its obligations toward our armed forces,” he warned, noting that such a failure could constrain the military from fulfilling its constitutional mandate.

The Speaker also noted a concerning drop in women’s representation in Parliament. The decline has muted female voices in oversight institutions. Currently, only one female MP is free to serve on committees, as others are constrained by their roles within the Executive or the Speakership.

Mr Keorapetse shared his ambition to transform the National Assembly into a high-performing institution to consolidate democracy.

“To achieve this, we need a more independent Parliament. We have begun formulating the Parliament Act, which will bring about significant changes,” he said.

Gen. Mophuting affirmed that it was the responsibility of army commanders to account for taxpayer funds, noting that the military was sustained by the public purse.

He said during his tenure, he would focus on several key priorities, including strengthening command and leadership relationships, modernising defense capabilities, ensuring prudent financial management, reviewing policies, strategies and doctrines as well as reforming the military justice system.

Gen. Mophuting further noted that a formal court-martial system would soon be established following the impending appointment of a military Judge Advocate General.

He described the BDF as a professional body and expressed willingness to help capacitate Parliament on civil-military relations, emphasising the BDF’s cordial relationship with both politicians and traditional leaders.

Regarding gender parity, he acknowledged the lack of women in high-ranking positions, stating that the BDF had capable female officers whose progress had been hindered by lack of specific training and other structural barriers. BOPA