Particle.news
Download on the App Store
29 ARTICLES
·
8mo ago

Botswana's Opposition Wins Historic Election, Ending 58-Year Rule

The Umbrella for Democratic Change, led by Duma Boko, secures a parliamentary majority, unseating the long-dominant Botswana Democratic Party.

Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi addresses a press conference to concede defeat after the October 30 general elections, where the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) lost elections to the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), in Gaborone, Botswana November 1, 2024.
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) conceded defeat after losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since the country's independence in 1966.
  • Duma Boko, a Harvard-educated human rights lawyer, is poised to become the new president as the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) gains control of the parliament.
  • Economic challenges, including a slump in global diamond demand and high unemployment rates, were key factors in the BDP's electoral defeat.
  • Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi acknowledged the loss and promised a smooth transition of power, marking a rare peaceful transfer of leadership in the region.
  • The UDC has pledged ambitious reforms, including job creation and economic diversification, as it prepares to address Botswana's pressing socio-economic issues.