Masisi Concedes as Botswana's BDP Loses Power After 58 Years; Opposition Leader Boko to Lead

Nov 1, 2024, 08:00 AM

Botswana's ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has been in power since the country's independence in 1966, has suffered a crushing defeat in the general elections, winning so far only one parliamentary seat. President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat and announced he would 'step aside' after preliminary results showed the main opposition coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, winning at least 31 of 61 seats. Early results placed the BDP in fourth place. This marks a significant political shift in the diamond-rich southern African nation, ending nearly six decades of uninterrupted rule by the BDP. The election outcome reflects growing public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the economy, rising unemployment, and overreliance on diamond revenues.