As U.S. voters headed to the polls, voters in Botswana, a country in southern Africa, celebrated a new president of their own. Duma Boko defeated incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi in this year’s election. The change ends the ruling party’s 58 years in power—ever since Botswana’s independence from Great Britain.
Botswana is considered one of Africa’s most stable democracies. After emerging from British rule in 1966, the democratic country has built one of the highest standards of living in the region. Its economy depends largely on diamonds.
Diamonds account for more than 80% of Botswana’s exports. Botswana is the world’s second largest natural diamond producer behind Russia. It has produced all the biggest diamonds found in the last decade.
During the election, Masisi and his party faced reproach for not doing enough for the economy. According to Masisi, Botswana’s government company had sold hardly any diamonds since April. As a result, the nation had to adopt strict measures to cut government spending.
Similar to Great Britain, Botswana holds general elections to decide the makeup of its Parliament. Lawmakers then choose the president. The party that gains a majority may choose its candidate as president. All five of Botswana’s post-independence presidents have been from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
Botswana Chief Justice Terence Rannowane announced that the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) won a majority of seats in the election. That made its candidate, Boko, the next president of the southern African country.
Masisi conceded defeat before final results came out. In fact, BDP came in fourth place. The defeat seemed to be a resounding rejection by voters—and a landslide victory for UDC.
“I concede the election,” Masisi said in an early-morning press conference two days after the vote. “I am proud of our democratic processes.”
Masisi continued, “Although I wanted a second term, I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process.”
BDP led politics in Botswana for nearly six decades. The nation of 2.5 million people will now be governed by another party for the first time in its democratic history.
“We lost this election massively,” says Masisi, a former high school teacher and UNICEF employee. “I did not expect it.”
Boko is a lawyer and Harvard Law School graduate. He also ran in 2014 and 2019. He didn’t comment immediately but posted on X, “Botswana First,” with a picture of a UDC campaign poster with the words “Change is Here.”
As he takes office, Boko inherits the challenge of weak global demand for diamonds and its effect on Botswana’s economy.
BDP’s defeat came as a surprise to many. What may be also be refreshing to some American voters is Masisi’s plan going forward.
“I look forward to attending the coming inauguration and cheering on my successor,” Masisi says. “He will enjoy my support.”
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. — Proverbs 16:24
