Gaborone, Botswana — August 16, 2025
Cynthia Thanda
Botswana reaffirmed its commitment to human rights and global justice on Saturday as citizens gathered for a solidarity march in support of Palestinians at Tsholofelo Community Hall in Gaborone.
The march, which began at 8:30 a.m., drew dozens of participants chanting slogans including “End the occupation,” “Stop the killings,” and “Free Palestine.”
The event was organized by Ditshwanelo, the Botswana Centre for Human Rights, International Socialists Botswana, Voices of Palestine, and Zahraa-Naaz Children’s Fund with the aim to highlight ongoing humanitarian concerns in Gaza and the West Bank.
Addressing the crowd, Ditshwanelo Director Alice Mogwe invoked Botswana’s own history of hardship and international aid following independence.
“Nobody said, Botswana’s far away, we’re not going to help. Because we’re part of a shared world,” she said. “We have a responsibility to one another.”
Mogwe outlined three key concerns:
• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including starvation and deaths resulting from what she described as a “deliberate blockade.”
• The killing of civilians attempting to access aid, reportedly by Israeli snipers.
• The global double standards in arms sales, with countries calling for ceasefires while continuing to supply weapons to Israel.
“We are calling for an end to the arms sales which are feeding genocide and starvation,” Mogwe said. She also drew parallels between the Palestinian experience and Southern Africa’s history of colonialism and apartheid. “We recognize the racism, we recognize the occupation, and it is incumbent upon us to speak up.”
The event also paid tribute to Palestinian journalist Anas Al-Sharuf, who was reportedly killed in Gaza. His final message, shared widely on social media, urged global solidarity:
Organizers encouraged attendees to follow updates via the social media platform @voiceforpalestinebw
© TPA2025
