President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat on Friday following the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) dramatic loss in last month’s general elections.
The BDP, which has governed since the country’s independence in 1966, had won only one parliamentary seat as of Friday morning, marking a seismic change in the political landscape of the diamond-rich nation.
Masisi acknowledged the overwhelming defeat of the BDP, stating it was clear the party had lost “massively.”
“I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration,” Masisi told reporters in Gaborone on Friday.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and support the incoming government.
The early results from the October 30 poll indicate that the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by human rights lawyer Duma Boko, has secured 25 seats and is projected to surpass the 31-seat threshold needed for a parliamentary majority.
The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), which has the backing of former President Ian Khama, has won five seats, while the Botswana Congress Party has claimed seven seats.
As the new parliament convenes, Boko is on track to become the next head of state, given the UDC’s strong performance.
Masisi, who has been in office since 2018, faced criticism for the BDP’s handling of economic challenges, including sluggish growth and high unemployment rates, which have eroded the party’s popularity.
Official election results are expected to be released by the electoral commission later on Friday, but the preliminary counts indicate a clear shift in voter sentiment and a historic moment for Botswana’s democracy.
JN/APA