Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has reaffirmed his commitment to respecting the court of appeal’s decision to uphold the 2019 ruling that decriminalized homosexuality in the country.
He made this known in a meeting with representatives from Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO). He made clear that his campaign was about inclusion and that his government is committed to safeguarding the rights of LGBT+ people in his country.
He continued by stating that the States’ appeal to the court, which was dismissed in November 2021, was prompted by political motives rather than hostility toward the LGBT+ community and that “we live in a rather conservative society.”
Watch a clip from the meeting below.
The Botswana Court of Appeal delivered a decision in November to decriminalize consensual sex between same-sex partners, affirming a 2019 High Court decision.
