In a surprising turn of events, Botswana’s President Dr Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi conceded defeat after the country rejected its longest-serving governing party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the parliamentary elections held on October 30.
As per reports, Masisi’s conceding came in hours before the final results were announced. The BDP, which has governed the southern African country since 1966, stood at fourth place in the polls.
Voters took to the ballot across the diamond-rich country as Masisi, who has been President since 2018, sought to be re-elected for a second and final term in office.
The country has had its share of economic challenges.
Insights by Coface (global provider of trade credit insurance, business information and debt collection) indicate long-standing issues of inadequate infrastructure (water and electricity production and distribution) and high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth – of about 23.4% in 2023. In 2022, the poverty rate was also relatively high at 14.5%.
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Reverend Prince Dibeela, a political activist and President of the Botswana Labour Party, told AP News that this is the first time in more than four decades that “the state coffers are negative”.
“There are also more than 200,000 young people who are employable but cannot find work. We are a very fragmented society.”
“I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration,” Masisi told a press conference on Friday in the country’s capital Gaborone. “I wish to congratulate the opposition on their victories and concede the elections. I am proud of our democratic processes and I respect the will of the people.”
Duma Boko, President of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), emerged victorious in what has been described an overwhelming lead in the election. A lawyer by profession, taking part in the elections for the third time, Boko had continuously urged voters to stay at voting stations.
“Counting centres remain places of further rigging and we should not let up. Do not leave the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and police officers with boxes (ballot) during breaks. We will celebrate once the job is complete, not now. It is not over yet until the final ballot is counted,” he said in a statement, according to News24.
“We got it wrong big time in the eyes of the people,” Masisi told the press. “We were really convinced of our message. But every indication, by any measure, is that there’s no way that I can pretend that we’re going to form a government.”
Masisi said in an audio with Boko that he will start the process of a handover tomorrow, “and you can count on me to always be there to provide whatever guidance you might want.”
State television reported results showed that from 55 of the 61 constituencies up for grabs, the UDC won 32 seats in parliament.
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