The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed Botswana for nearly six decades, is facing an unexpected challenge after the general elections held on October 30, 2024.
Initial tallies from the electoral commission indicate that opposition parties collectively captured 31 out of 61 parliamentary seats, reported Al Jazeera.
Under the leadership of President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the BDP managed to secure just one seat by early Friday morning. The opposition coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, gained 19 seats, while the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), headed by Dumelang Saleshando, won seven seats. Additionally, the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), which aligns with former President Ian Khama, secured five seats.
This election marks Boko’s third attempt at winning leadership, and he encouraged his followers to “stay vigilant and disciplined” as the results unfold.
The party that achieves a parliamentary majority will have the authority to appoint the president and establish the government. Despite expectations that President Masisi, 63, would secure another term with a majority, the results so far suggest a tighter race.
Known for its democratic stability and economic success, Botswana has faced economic challenges recently. A global drop in diamond demand has impacted its economy, where diamonds make up over 80% of exports. Economic growth is expected to decelerate to 1% in 2024, following rates of 2.3% in 2023 and 5.5% in 2022, and unemployment has risen to 27%. Botswana Democratic Party
