Advertisement

Botswana president concedes election defeat, ending ruling party’s 58 years in power

Shock election drubbing ends Botswana Democratic Party’s grip on power in the diamond-rich southern African nation

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Supporters of the main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change cheer at a counting centre in Gaborone, Botswana. Photo: AFP

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat in the general election Friday, in a seismic moment of change for the county that ended the ruling party’s 58 years in power since independence from Britain in the 1960s.

Advertisement

Masisi’s concession came before final results were announced, with his Botswana Democratic Party trailing in fourth place in the parliamentary elections in what appeared to be a humbling rejection by voters.

The main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change held a strong lead in the partial results, making its candidate, Duma Boko, the favourite to become president of a southern African country that is one of the world’s biggest producers of mined diamonds.

Masisi said he had called Boko to tell him he was conceding defeat, and said that Boko was now effectively the president-elect.

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi kisses a ballot paper. Photo: AFP
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi kisses a ballot paper. Photo: AFP

Final results were expected to be announced later on Friday.

Advertisement
Advertisement