*Fatshimetrie* –
Botswana’s 2019 elections marked a historic transition for the southern African country. After nearly six decades in power, President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat to a surging opposition. Preliminary results showed the president’s party lost its parliamentary majority in a landslide, ending a long political dominance.
The opposition, led by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition and its leader Duma Boko, took a significant lead, putting Boko on course to claim the presidency. Analysts have pointed to growing socio-economic hardship, particularly among the youth, as a major factor in the downfall of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has been in power since the country’s independence in 1966.
Botswana, whose economy is largely based on diamonds, has suffered a decline in the global diamond market this year, leading to a drop in economic growth and a rise in unemployment to 28%. Election results showed the UDC won 26 of the 41 seats at stake, while the BDP won just three. Members of parliament elect the president.
Duma Boko, whose response has yet to be heard, had focused his campaign on issues such as raising the minimum wage and increasing social grants. Despite his desire to remain president, Masisi told a news conference: “I respect the will of the people and congratulate the elected president. I will step down and support the new administration.”
The capital, Gaborone, was quiet on Friday morning, with small groups of opposition supporters celebrating in the streets. A 23-year-old student, Mpho Mogorosi, said: “I never thought I would see this change in my lifetime. The BDP has been in power for too long and I am proud to be part of those who pushed them aside for a better Botswana.”
The BDP was the second long-ruling party in southern Africa to suffer an electoral defeat this year, after South Africa’s African National Congress also lost its parliamentary majority after 30 years in power and was forced to form a coalition government. Neighbouring Namibia holds elections later this month, where the ruling SWAPO party, in power since 1990, is also expected to face stiff opposition.
Zaynab Hoosen, an Africa analyst at Pangea-Risk, said the outcome of Botswana’s elections should serve as a warning to long-ruling parties in southern Africa and elsewhere: without economic progress and job opportunities, political dominance is doomed to failure..
Against a backdrop of political and social change, Botswana has opened a new chapter in its history, bringing hope for renewed governance focused on the needs of the people. These elections marked a significant turning point for the country and illustrated the people’s desire to look to a brighter future.