• Reports indicate that a demonstration is slated to take place in front of the Botswana High Commission in Windhoek on November 13.
• As of writing, the exact time of the protest remains unclear.
• The demonstration is allegedly organized by family members of three Namibian nationals and one Zambian national, who was shot dead by the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) between Impalila Island and the Kasika village on the Chobe River, on November 5.

1. Botswana’s ‘shoot to kill’ policy was adopted in 2013 as a measure to curb poaching of elephants in the country, and its implementation has triggered diplomatic tensions with the Namibian authorities over the alleged sporadic killings of Namibian nationals. That said, the fact that the locations of such incidents sit at the border between the two countries complicates the investigation process and likely aggravates the relatives’ grievances.
2. FORECAST: Given the limited nature of the protest issue, it is likely to witness a turnout in the low-to-mid dozens, and is expected to transpire peacefully. However, considering the sensitive nature of the location, bolstered security deployments can be expected in the vicinity of the Botswana High Commission. That said, in the light of the security forces’ relative proclivity to resort to force, there remains the distant possibility for the demonstrators to be dispersed in case of perceived unruly behavior. Ultimately, traffic disruptions can be expected in the vicinity and around the location of the protest.

Those operating or residing in Windhoek on November 13 are advised allot for travel disruptions in the vicinity of the Botswana High Commission due to the slated protest.