Former President Ian Khama of Botswana has made a dramatic return to the country after a three-year self-imposed exile. The 71-year-old appeared in court on Friday in Gaborone, where he faces a series of charges, including money laundering, illegal possession of firearms, and handling stolen property.

Khama, who served as Botswana’s president for a decade until 2018, had been living in South Africa since falling out with his successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Khama’s return came as a surprise, especially after he recently claimed that there was a plot to poison him should he return to Botswana. The government swiftly dismissed these allegations as “outrageous.”

Supporters of the former president gathered outside the courthouse, chanting, “The general is back,” signaling continued public support despite his absence from the political scene. Khama’s appearance in court marks the first time he has returned to Botswana since he left in 2021.

At the Friday hearing, Magistrate Tshireletso Kaboyamodimo dropped arrest warrants that had been issued against Khama in 2022 for failing to attend previous court dates.

Khama’s lawyer, Unoda Mack, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, “The state wanted him back in the country, and now he is back. He is in the country for as much as he likes.”

Khama faces 14 charges, which he insists are politically motivated and part of a broader campaign against him by the current government. He is jointly charged with former heads of Botswana’s intelligence and police services.

Khama’s return also highlights the deepening political divide between him and President Masisi. The two men have clashed publicly for years, with Khama accusing Masisi of undermining his policies and leadership.

Khama has frequently criticized Masisi, calling him “the Botswana version of Donald Trump” and stating that his decision to appoint Masisi as his successor was a “mistake.”

Despite the personal and political tensions, Khama’s return is seen as a significant development ahead of Botswana’s upcoming general elections. Khama is not standing for office, but the election will be a major test for Masisi, who is seeking a second term amid growing concerns over corruption and governance.

According to Afrobarometer polling, Botswana citizens are increasingly worried about corruption, particularly with regard to government contracts being awarded to officials’ relatives.

Khama, who is known for his passion for aviation, has also been involved in various disputes regarding his personal security and access to state resources since his fallout with Masisi. He reportedly pays for his own private security, despite being entitled to state-funded protection, and was banned from using the state’s fleet of aircraft.

As the political climate in Botswana remains tense, Khama is scheduled to return to court on 23 September, where his legal battles will continue. His return has reignited debates about Botswana’s leadership and governance, with Khama’s supporters hoping for his eventual exoneration, while critics view his legal troubles as an attempt to undermine the ruling government.

Khama, the son of Botswana’s first president Seretse Khama, remains a polarizing figure in the country’s political landscape, with his legacy as a former military general and president still a subject of both admiration and controversy.