Elections in Botswana: Opposition Party Achieves Absolute Majority
The UDC, Botswana’s leading opposition party, has secured an absolute majority in Parliament following elections that resulted in a historic defeat for the ruling BDP party, which has governed for nearly 60 years. This outcome was announced by the electoral commission on Friday.
The newly elected Parliament is responsible for appointing the country’s president, who is anticipated to be Duma Boko, a 54-year-old human rights lawyer and the UDC’s presidential candidate.
Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi acknowledged the opposition’s landmark victory during a press conference, signifying a significant shift in leadership in this Southern African nation that his party has led since independence nearly six decades ago.
“I congratulate the opposition on their victory and concede the election,” stated the outgoing head of state.
On Wednesday, more than one million people were registered to vote out of a total population of 2.6 million.
A primary concern for voters was the rising unemployment rate, currently at 27%, which disproportionately affects the youth, as well as the decline in diamond sales—the main source of income for Botswana—due to competition from synthetic alternatives.
Botswana is the world’s second-largest diamond producer, trailing only Russia.
