A professor who has been a fierce critic of the lack of democracy in Botswana is to be deported. Professor Ken Good lost his appeal against deportation on Tuesday in Gaborone, and was taken from the court by plain-clothes police; according to the rights group Survival International.

Professor Good, an Australian who has taught political science at Botswana University since 1990, in a study criticized the way presidents in Botswana are appointed by their predecessor rather than directly elected earlier this year. Shortly before he was due to present the paper, President Mogae issued a deportation order. Good appealed but lost. The government has labelled the professor "a threat to national security", but has never justified this statement. According to experts, the deportation will reflect badly on Botswana’s reputation for foreign investment.

Good’s comments on presidents is part of a study on retired African presidents and how succession is handled, funded by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which indicates that South Africa so far is more tolerant. Former NEPRU boss Dr Henning Melber is a co-author to the study, which will be completed in September.