Botswana's governing party voted out after 58 years in power

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat on Friday after his ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), suffered a significant loss in the general elections, ending nearly six decades of governance in the diamond-rich nation.

“I wish to congratulate the opposition on their victory and concede the election,” President Masisi told reporters at a press conference, acknowledging the unexpected outcome.

Preliminary results indicated that the BDP, which had held power since 1966, was trailing in fourth place, with three opposition parties securing at least 31 of the 61 parliamentary seats.

Masisi’s concession came before the electoral commission announced final results, which are expected later on Friday.

The main opposition party, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, emerged with a strong lead in early counts, having already secured over 24 seats.

Masisi confirmed that he had called Boko to inform him of his concession.

In addition to the UDC, the Botswana Congress Party and Botswana Patriotic Front combined for approximately a dozen seats, marking a decisive shift in the political landscape.

Masisi, a former high school teacher and UNICEF worker, had anticipated retaining his parliamentary majority for a second five-year term.

Botswana is often celebrated as one of Africa’s success stories, known for its stability and wealth.

However, recent economic challenges, exacerbated by a global downturn in diamond demand, have hindered growth, which the International Monetary Fund projects will slow to 1 percent in 2024.

As unemployment rates rise to 27 percent, with higher rates among youth, the BDP has recognised the necessity to diversify the economy, pledging to explore new avenues for growth in agriculture and tourism.