| ID | 175498 |
| Title Proper | Reimagining Botswana’s national security in light of COVID-19 |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Ookeditse, Lawrence |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The Botswana national security complex is fashioned around traditional (military) threats to security. This is demonstrated through the National Security Act and also by the country’s defense expenditure as a component of its GDP. Defense expenditure routinely takes the second largest share of GDP in Botswana. The outbreak of the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-COV-2) or COVID-19, however, suggests a relook at Botswana’s national security towards none traditional security threats- in this case pandemics. The case for this is made clear by the evidently poor readiness to deal with possible mass infections both from a health budgetary perspective, and the availability of medical personal and equipment. This paper argues for securitisation of health care in Botswana- especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is possible through diversion of a portion current defense spending towards health care. |
| `In' analytical Note | African Security Review Vol. 29, No.3; Sep 2020 : p.267-279 |
| Journal Source | African Security Review Vol: 29 No 3 |
| Key Words | National Security ; Defense Expenditure ; Securitisation ; Health Care System ; COVID-19 |