Botswana’s 58-Year Ruling Party Ousted in Historic Peaceful Transition of Power
Botswana will have its first change of ruling party since independence from Britain in 1966. The opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party won the national election, ending the Botswana Democratic Party’s 58-year hold on power. Incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat before the election result was finalised, with his party trailing in fourth place. Duma Boko, a 54-year-old lawyer and Harvard Law School graduate, will be the next president. The change comes as a downturn in global demand for diamonds, the country’s primary export, led to economic issues and rising unemployment.
John Q. Hosedrinker