In a historic turn of events, Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has conceded defeat following the preliminary results of the recent parliamentary elections, signaling the end of the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) nearly six-decade hold on power. During a press conference held on November 1, 2024, Masisi announced that he would “step aside” after the shocking outcome for his party.
The election results indicated that the BDP was trailing significantly, with Masisi’s party finishing in fourth place, as reported by the electoral commission. The president’s concession came ahead of the final results, underscoring the unexpected nature of the electoral outcome.
Masisi, who was vying for a second five-year term, extended his congratulations to the opposition parties for their victory. He stated, “I wish to congratulate the opposition on their victory and concede the election.” Preliminary counts suggested that a coalition of three opposition parties had secured at least 31 out of 61 seats in the legislature, which is the threshold required to form a government.
The electoral commission is expected to finalize the results later on the same day. Under Botswana’s electoral system, the party that reaches the 31-seat mark first will be declared the winner, allowing it to install its candidate as the new president.
The BDP’s loss is particularly notable given its long-standing governance of Botswana, a nation rich in diamond resources, since its independence in 1966. The main opposition party, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), has been reported to be leading the partial results, making its leader, Duma Boko, a strong contender for the presidency.
Masisi confirmed that he had reached out to Boko to inform him of his concession. Reports indicate that the UDC had already won over 24 seats, with party officials expressing optimism about securing the necessary votes to claim victory and potentially elevate Boko, a renowned human rights lawyer, to the presidency.
In addition to the UDC’s success, two other opposition parties the Botswana Congress Party and the Botswana Patriotic Front have collectively won around a dozen seats, further solidifying the BDP’s defeat in the elections.
Prior to this election, Masisi, a former high school teacher and UNICEF worker, was widely expected to maintain the BDP’s parliamentary majority and continue his leadership for a second and final term. Botswana is often celebrated as one of Africa’s exemplary success stories, recognized for being one of the continent’s wealthiest and most stable democracies.
However, recent economic challenges have significantly impacted the nation. The global decline in demand for diamonds, which constitute over 80 percent of Southern African exports, has adversely affected Botswana’s economy. The International Monetary Fund has projected that economic growth will decelerate to 1 percent in 2024, down from 2.3 percent in the previous year and 5.5 percent in 2022. Moreover, unemployment has surged to 27 percent, with even higher rates among the youth.
In light of the electoral outcome, the BDP has acknowledged the need to diversify its economy. The party had previously made commitments to explore new avenues for growth, including agriculture and tourism, as it faces increasing pressure to address the economic challenges confronting Botswana.
This significant electoral shift marks a new chapter in Botswana’s political landscape, with the opposition poised to take the reins of governance after decades of BDP leadership. The anticipated changes in policy and governance will likely shape the future of Botswana, as the new administration confronts the pressing economic challenges while also addressing the aspirations of the electorate.
