Botswana election: BDP party loses power after nearly six decades to Duma Boko's UDC
Botswana election: BDP party loses power after nearly six decades to Duma Boko's UDC
President Mokgweetsi Masisi accepts defeat after his party loses its parliamentary majority.
[...] In a phone call to UDC leader Duma Boko, President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded and congratulated his opponent.
Despite overseeing a dramatic change in Botswana, recent poor economic growth and high unemployment dented the BDP’s popularity.
The party "had got it wrong big time", Masisi told a press conference.
"I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration. I am proud of our democratic processes and I respect the will of the people."
He has urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the new government.
Speaking to Boko on the phone, the outgoing president said: "You can count on me to always be there to provide whatever guidance you might want."
In his first comments to the media since the outcome was clear, Boko, a 54-year-old former human rights lawyer, said: "What has happened today takes our democracy to a higher level. It now means we've seen a successful, peaceful, orderly democratic transition." [...]