Ex-De Beers CEO warns of ‘soft form of dictatorship’

Sunday Standard Ex-De Beers CEO warns of ‘soft form of dictatorship’ Former De Beers chief executive officer Sheila Khama has warned that Botswana’s concentration of presidential power could pose a deeper threat to democracy and human rights than some of the constitutional issues currently under debate. Khama, a prominent voice on Africa’s extractive industries, said she did not necessarily oppose the constitutional proposals under consideration but […] The post Ex-De Beers CEO warns of ‘soft form of dictatorship’ first appeared on Sunday Standard and is written by Sunday Standard Reporter

Sep 7, 2026 - 21:56

Sunday Standard

Ex-De Beers CEO warns of ‘soft form of dictatorship’

Former De Beers chief executive officer Sheila Khama has warned that Botswana’s concentration of presidential power could pose a deeper threat to democracy and human rights than some of the constitutional issues currently under debate.

Khama, a prominent voice on Africa’s extractive industries, said she did not necessarily oppose the constitutional proposals under consideration but argued that lawmakers should confront what she sees as a more fundamental weakness in the country’s constitutional framework, namely the extent of executive authority vested in the presidency.

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