Historic Shift: Botswana's Leadership Changes Hands

In a landmark election, Botswana's ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), has lost its long-held majority after nearly six decades in power. Mounting socio-economic issues, notably youth unemployment, contributed to their defeat. The opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), is set to lead with Duma Boko as the likely president-elect.

In a stunning political shift, Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi acknowledged on Friday that his party had suffered a significant defeat in the recent election, losing its parliamentary majority substantially to the opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). This outcome put an end to nearly six decades of dominance by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

Experts have pointed out that the ruling party faced mounting socio-economic challenges, particularly widespread discontent among the youth, which contributed to its downfall. Botswana's economy, heavily reliant on diamond revenues, has been hit hard by a downturn in the global diamond market, causing growth to stall and unemployment to surge to 28%.

State media reported that the UDC had secured 26 of the 41 seats declared in parliament, with the BDP lagging significantly. This cleared the path for UDC leader Duma Boko to become president. President Masisi conceded gracefully, expressing his readiness to support the new administration, as citizens celebrated this change enthusiastically.

(With inputs from agencies.)