The ruling Botswana Democratic Party is in crisis following the recent resignation of its flamboyant secretary general, Kentse Rammidi.

Almost 100 000 public servants have been on strike in Botswana since Monday last week, in an unprecedented display of popular militancy.

Botswana's main opposition parties look likely to sign a memorandum of understanding that will pave the way for opposition unity.

Seretse Khama Ian Khama was inaugurated as Botswana's President on Tuesday, inheriting a rare political and economic success story. Just next door, millions of Zimbabweans desperate to end economic misery anxiously awaited results of an election in which President Robert Mugabe faced the biggest challenge in 28 years of iron-fisted rule.