Between two Chinas and two Koreas: African agency and non-alignment in 1970s Botswana

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article explains Botswana’s non-aligned stance at the United Nations in the 1970s. It focuses on two diplomatic wars between China and Taiwan, and between North Korea and South Korea. Botswana’s position was challenged by intimidation from South Africa and Rhodesia, and threats to cut aid from the United States. Gaborone was concerned with building its legitimacy among African states who questioned Botswana’s anti-colonial and anti-apartheid credentials. President Seretse Khama, when managing Cold War and southern African geopolitics, used the China and Korea questions to assert Botswana’s agency and sovereignty as a non-aligned state.