New BDF Command faces test on Security Modernisation

 

Efforts to modernise Botswana’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capability have been under discussion for many years, but have failed to reach full implementation, information obtained by this publication shows.

A defence insider said a project aimed at this area of capability has been in progress, on and off, for more than a decade, but was repeatedly stalled by internal dynamics that prevented decisive progress.

“The plans have existed. What has been missing is the ability to push it through to completion. Over the years, internal interests kept interrupting the process. It is that certain people did not want it bought unless it benefitted them. When they realised they might not control who wins, the project would simply die,” the source said.

Governance experts argue that this kind of prolonged stagnation in a critical security project is usually a symptom of leadership and institutional culture rather than lack of expertise.

“When something takes 10 years without being delivered, it tells you that there are forces inside the system that are more powerful than the project itself. That can include personal interests, bureaucratic protection or fear of making hard decisions,” the source said.

A Security expert has raised concerns that Botswana’s explosive ordnance disposal capabilities may not be keeping pace with modern international standards. The expert said Botswana’s EOD framework, while functional, does not fully reflect what is now considered best practice in countries like Botswana that routinely host major public gatherings, foreign dignitaries and high-profile political events.

“The concern is not that Botswana has no capability, but that the systems in place are not at the level that current global threat environments demand. When standards evolve and you do not evolve with them, gaps start to appear,” the expert said. He added that modern explosive risk management relies on constantly updated technology, training and coordination rather than legacy methods that were designed for a different era.

According to international security benchmarks, explosive threat response has become a core pillar of national safety infrastructure, particularly in an age where lone-actor attacks, politically motivated violence and criminal explosives, are increasingly unpredictable.

Countries with stable political environments are not immune, and experts note that preparedness is measured not only by the existence of specialist units, but by how modern, well-resourced and integrated they are into broader security planning.

Defence analysts say that any lag in this area, even if limited, can create vulnerabilities at airports, government buildings, public events and during visits by high-ranking officials.

“The entire point of modern explosive response is to ensure that threats can be neutralised quickly and safely without escalating risk to civilians or security personnel. That is why standards have

moved so far over the past decade,” a regional analyst said.

While none of the sources suggested that Botswana is unsafe, they stressed that unresolved modernisation creates unnecessary risk and undermines confidence in long-term preparedness. “The country deserves a system that reflects today’s realities, not yesterday’s assumptions,” the governance defence expert continued.

The timing of these concerns is significant, coinciding with the dawn of a new era for the Botswana Defence Force under the leadership of its new Commander, General Mpho Mophuting. The change in command has been widely interpreted within defence and policy circles as an opportunity to reset priorities and bring momentum to long-running strategic issues.

Analysts say the credibility of the new leadership will depend less on rhetoric and more on whether it demonstrates a proactive, forward-looking approach to capability development.

“This is a moment where the BDF can show that it is not just maintaining stability, but actively strengthening it. That means addressing areas where the force may have fallen behind global standards,” another security expert said.

Sources within the defence community say there is now an expectation that the new command will move from a culture of reaction to one of anticipation and strategic foresight, where risks are addressed before they become crises.

Rather than waiting for incidents or external pressure to force action, the new leadership is being urged to take early, deliberate steps to strengthen key capabilities and close any gaps.

“Strong defence leadership is not about responding after something happens. It is about seeing what is coming and preparing for it,” a retired army officer said, adding that a proactive posture would send a powerful message throughout the institution that long-running delays and uncertainty will no longer define how critical national projects are handled.

Preparedness, they say, is something that must be continuously reinforced, not assumed. With new leadership at the helm, there is growing hope that the BDF will adopt a proactive rather than a reactive approach.

Lieutenant-Colonel Fana Maswabi of the BDF Protocol and Public Affairs said while such concerns are of public interest, information regarding the BDF’s operational capabilities is classified. Disclosure could compromise national security; hence, the BDF cannot release operational or classified details.

Furthermore, Military capability development and deployment are informed by the national threat assessment framework, coordinated across security agencies and approved by the Government and Parliament of Botswana.

Lt.-Col Maswabi added that this structured approach ensures that defence resources align effectively with current and emerging security needs.

“The BDF reaffirms its full preparedness and commitment to the Defence and Security of Botswana, in accordance with its constitutional mandate to protect the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests.

The Force maintains a constant state of readiness to detect, deter, and respond decisively to any security threat. We trust that this response provides the necessary context for your intended publication and reiterates our unwavering commitment to national safety and security,” he said.