{ "story_id": "db630ca59fbe25e74e9264c48100aa97", "desk": "drm3", "revision": 1, "published_at": "2026-09-03T11:21:22.000Z", "content_hash": "74c3fafc8d1f2d024941946371c20b67d6671e36c3a7618ff2fe06500e6bef4b", "hash_basis": "sha256 over `headline\\ndek\\nprose`, plus `\\n` + the canonical citations JSON when any source is placed, plus `\\n#blog` for blogs", "basis": { "headline": "Botswana's former president defends wildlife protection, hunting ban, and military's anti-poaching role", "dek": "Former Botswana President Ian Khama argues wildlife conservation is a national duty, defending his hunting ban and military's anti-poaching role.", "prose": "The author, as president, suspended all hunting of all species, arguing that trophy hunting does not generate meaningful revenue for communities and may worsen human-wildlife conflict. [^1]\n\nMuganga and Mophuting discussed progress made in military cooperation between Rwanda and Botswana and opportunities to develop it further. [^2]\n\nOn 2026-09-02, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff Gen Mubarakh Muganga received Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Commander Gen Mpho Churchill Mophuting at RDF headquarters in Kimihurura, Kigali. [^3]\n\nRwanda and Botswana are seeking to expand military training and professional development opportunities between their armed forces to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. [^4]\n\nRwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff Gen Mubarakh Muganga commended progress in defence cooperation, particularly the exchange of military training opportunities at various levels, and said the exchanges have enabled officers from both forces to better understand each other's institutions, share operational experiences, and strengthen professional ties. [^5]\n\nThe author argues that conservation cannot succeed if local communities feel excluded from the benefits of wildlife, and that practical ways to share benefits and reduce costs are needed. [^6]\n\nThe author states that he supported and oversaw the deployment of the Botswana Defence Force in anti-poaching operations because organized poaching had become a threat to national security and heritage. [^7]\n\nThe author, a former president of Botswana, writes that he served as commander of the Botswana Defence Force and later as president, and that his commitment to wildlife conservation began during his military service. 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