10 Mar 2026

The evacuation of Batswana from the Middle East  has begun, with the first group having departed on Monday.

The group mainly comprises those who were caught in transit but were fortunately able to secure flights. It also includes a few Batswana who are residents of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

In an interview, Acting Ambassador of Botswana to Kuwait, with accreditations to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Mr Amangwe Madisakwana, said the situation in the region remained volatile prompting many Batswana to return home.

“However, there are those who have chosen to observe the situation with the hope of an immediate cessation of hostilities soon,” he said.

Mr Madisakwana said the embassy has been working tround the clock  to assist citizens in securing flights, particularly from areas where travel was still considered safe.

“In some areas people have had to drive to neighbouring countries in order to catch flights back home. We had to explore other avenues and some had to travel to Oman to catch flights there as fighting intensifies and security conditions continue to be unpredictable,” he said.

However, he said some Batswana remained stranded, particularly those in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, where persistent airspace closures have resulted in grounded flights. “There are those who currently have no way out as the airspace remains closed.

The embassy is working on plans to move them out, possibly through Saudi Arabia, he said. Mr Madisakwana added that contingency planning was ongoing, including coordinating evacuations through neighbouring countries as direct departures from some locations had become impossible.

He also noted that some embassy staff members based in Kuwait and other Batswana nationals working there had already departed and were expected to arrive back home on Tuesday.

Additionally, he said some Batswana who had been stranded while in transit had managed to secure flights and had already returned home. Despite the difficult circumstances, Mr Madisakwana said some citizens had chosen to remain in the region for various reasons.

“Some have indicated that they recently secured employment and feel they cannot leave immediately, while others are classified as essential service providers and unfortunately could not be granted permission to leave, such as firefighters, medical personnel and those working in the hospitality sector. Others are students who said they do not want to fall behind in their studies,” he said.

Meanwhile, he urged Batswana who were still in the Middle East to remain calm and vigilant.

“They should remain positive and avoid falling into traps that could lead to human trafficking or abduction out of desperation,” he cautioned. The conflict currently affecting parts of the Middle East has entered its ninth day and involves the US, Israel and Iran.

Mr Madisakwana assured Batswana that the embassy was monitoring developments and assessing  safe safe evacuation options. ENDS