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New breath! The ruling party loses the elections after 58 years
2024-11-01 09:38:14 / BOTA
In a major political upheaval, Botswana's long-ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), has been ousted by voters, ending its 58-year rule dating back to the country's independence in 1966. .
The first results show that the BDP has secured only one parliamentary seat, which made President Mokgweetsi Masisi accept defeat. Masisi, who became president in 2018, expressed his commitment to a "smooth transition" of power.
The opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by human rights lawyer Duma Boko, won 25 seats. With projections showing they will cross the threshold of 31 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, the UDC is poised to lead the next government.
The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), associated with former President Ian Khama, and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) also gained ground, securing five and seven seats respectively. Together, the opposition parties have a majority, ensuring the defeat of the BDP.
Boko supporters celebrated in the capital Gaborone as the country awaits official results from the Independent Electoral Commission. The success of the UDC was largely attributed to the economic challenges and high unemployment in Botswana, which have weakened the popularity of the BDP. Masisi's call for "change" failed to convince voters, marking a historic transformation in Botswana's political scene.
Botswana, a diamond-rich country in South Africa, is among the continent's most politically and economically stable countries. According to IMF and UNDP reports, its economy relies heavily on the diamond industry, which accounts for about 70% of exports and has been a major driver of economic growth since independence in 1966. However, Botswana faces challenges important, such as diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on natural resources.
Recently, economic growth has slowed and unemployment remains a serious problem, especially among young people. Efforts to develop other sectors, such as tourism and agriculture, have yielded limited results. The country has made progress in education and health, but still faces inequality and challenges in dealing with HIV/AIDS, which has a high prevalence.
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