**Botswana Prepares for General Election as Economy Slumps**
Botswana, known as one of Africa’s oldest democracies, is set to hold its general election on October 30, as announced by President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Masisi is seeking a second term, having received the endorsement of his ruling party.
The election will determine the composition of parliament and the lawmakers who will then elect the president.
It comes amid economic uncertainty for a country heavily reliant on diamond mining.
Botswana, the world’s second-largest diamond producer after Russia, has been the site of the largest rough diamond discoveries in the past decade.
Sales of rough diamonds by Debswana, a company co-owned by the Botswana government and De Beers Group, fell by nearly 50% in the first half of 2024, officials said.
The decline has had a negative impact on public finances and has led to criticism of President Masisi and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for failing to diversify the economy.
Unemployment has soared to over 27%, with youth unemployment exceeding 45%.
Salary arrears for civil servants have emerged due to the tight financial situation, tarnishing Botswana’s reputation for effective governance and raising concerns about potential austerity measures.
“This is the first time in over forty years that the state’s finances are in the red,” said opposition leader Rev. Prince Dibeela.
“There are also over 200,000 young people who are skilled but unable to find employment. Our society is highly fragmented.”
The ruling BDP has pledged to prioritize diversification of Botswana’s modest economy, which has a GDP of $21 billion.
According to the International Monetary Fund, diamond mining and sales account for 80 percent of Botswana’s exports, a third of tax revenues, and a quarter of GDP, highlighting the urgent need for economic diversification.
“The Botswana Democratic Party stands ready to serve the citizens of Botswana with commitments that closely align with their aspirations,” said Lebogang Kwape, BDP deputy secretary general and current foreign minister.
“We have listened carefully to the concerns of all Batswana and developed a manifesto that truly addresses their needs with realism and sincerity.”
The BDP plans to focus on transforming mineral resources to create new sources of income while developing the agriculture and tourism sectors.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission, which oversees the elections, more than a million people have registered to vote, with rising unemployment a major concern for voters.
Botswana, larger than France, has a population of just 2.5 million, with much of the country covered by the Kalahari Desert, which borders South Africa.
Drought and desertification pose serious threats to Botswana’s development and the livelihoods of many residents.
Three candidates have registered to run against Masisi for the presidency: Duma Boko of the main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change, Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party and Mephato Reatile of the Botswana Patriotic Front.
The election will also reignite Masisi’s conflict with former President Ian Khama, his estranged predecessor.
Khama, the son of Botswana’s founding president, left the BDP and went into exile in South Africa in 2021, saying Masisi was taking an authoritarian stance toward dissent.
He has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and receiving stolen property, which he has maintained were politically motivated attempts to silence him.
Khama returned to Botswana in September for a court hearing and is campaigning for the Botswana Patriotic Front to help remove Masisi from power.
Masisi, 63, is a former high school teacher and has worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund.
He is Botswana’s fifth president since the country gained independence from Britain.
The Botswana Democratic Party, led by Masisi, has been in power since the country gained independence from Britain in 1966.