Government ends social distancing due to COVID-19 pandemic but divides the country into zones to restrict movement of people. Botswana has 29 cases.

Government to begin phased lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on 5/8. Botswana has 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one death.

Appeals court agrees to hear the opposition challenge to the 10/23 election.

Former president Ian Khama says he will sue the government for defamation after a government report that accuses Khama of corruption.

BDP is declared winner of the election with 51% of the vote and 29 seats in the 57-seat legislature.

Elections at all levels. Pres Mokgweetsi Masisi of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has lost some support since taking office in 2018. Main challengers are Duma Boko, the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition, has been endorse by ex-Pres Khama. Biggie Butale left the ruling party to form the Botswana Patriotic Front. The third candidate is Ndaba Gaolathe, the leader of the Alliance for Progressives. The BDP has been in power since 1966 but lost the popular vote in 2014.

Former president Ian Khama that he will support the candidate of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in October elections. Khama has broken with his former vice-president Mokgweetsi Masisi and left the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

Botswana Democratic Party nominates Pres Mokgweetsi Masisi for a new term for elections in 10/19. There is a two-term limit for the presidency, but this will be Masisi's first election.

Venson-Moitoi withdraws her candidacy before the Botswana Democratic Party vote, saying it would be “a sham.”

High Court rules that Venson-Moitoi has not proved if her citizenship was by birth or descent.

Upon Khama’s departure, Mokgweetsi Masisi officially becomes president.

Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, declares her candidacy for president of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. She is quickly replaced in the cabinet by Pres Mokgweetsi Masisi quickly replaces her.

Botswana Pres Ian Khama says he will not run in 2019 elections and next April will step down and let Vice-Pres Mokgweetsi Masisi run the state.