Botswana ruling party rejected after 58 years in power
Voters in Botswana have rejected the country’s long-serving governing party in a result that marks a political earthquake in the diamond-rich southern African nation.
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) – in power since independence in 1966 – has won only one parliamentary seat as of early Friday morning, early election results show.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has accepted defeat, saying that it was clear his BDP party had lost “massively”.
“I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration,” Masisi said in a press conference on Friday.
He has urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the new government.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by human rights lawyer Duma Boko, has won 25 seats, according to the early tallies.
The party looks set to form the government as it is projected to pass the 31-seat threshold for a majority in parliament.
Credit: BBC
Botswana ruling party rejected after 58 years in power
