Seismic change in Botswana as party that ruled for 58 years loses power
The party of Botswana’s opposition candidate Duma Boko has been declared the election winner over incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi in a seismic change that ended the ruling party’s 58 years in power since independence from Britain
GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — The party of Botswana's opposition candidate Duma Boko was declared the election winner Friday over incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi in a seismic change that ended the ruling party’s 58 years in power since independence from Britain.
Masisi conceded defeat even 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 and a landslide victory for the main opposition party.
Hours later, Chief Justice Terence Rannowane announced that the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party had won a majority of seats in the election, making its candidate, Boko, the next president of the southern African country, which is one of the world’s biggest producers of mined diamonds.
Masisi said he had called Boko to inform him he was conceding defeat.
