Tension between Namibia and Botswana

The death of four Namibians by gunfire from Botswana's anti-poaching military is causing tension between the two bordering countries. The incident occurred on the evening of the fourth on Sedudu Island when Botswana soldiers were patrolling the Chobe River in the Zambezi region. 

Botswana is one of Africa's most rigorous environmental countries. Its nature reserves, which include the largest number of elephants in Africa, are a tourist attraction that draws millions of visitors every year, but also the largest number of hunters who claim to have killed an elephant or poachers looking for tusks to sell on the black market.

The murdered Namibians were sailing in a canoe when they were hit by a patrol of Botswana's anti-poaching special services, which, according to Namibian sources, shot and killed all four.

In recent months, 12 more Namibian poachers were executed when they tried to escape Botswana's surveillance. 

The event, which differs between the two countries, provoked protest demonstrations in Windhoek, the Namibian capital, and other cities in the country. The incidents left two dead and several injured. Protesters burned Botswana flags, and dozens of cars with Botswana plates were set on fire. Botswanans in the Namibian capital were forced to flee or go into hiding

The Namibians claim that what happened was a real murder. The four dead, their acquaintances say, were fishing in the river, which was full of crocodiles and hippos, but not hunting. For their part, Botswana hardly recognises that they acted in haste and that their suspicions were justified. No fishing gear was found on board.

Apart from incidents, almost always involving poaching, which is less punished in Namibia, relations between the two countries are good. The two presidents, the Namibian Hage Geingob and his Botswana colleague Mokgweetsi Masisi, spoke on the phone and issued communiqués that calmed the situation, though in Namibia the media and political parties continue to express their protests.