Botswana: Ruling Party Loses 58-Year Majority

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Facts

  • Botswana's ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 58 years, coming in fourth place in Wednesday's general election. The BDP had governed the southern African nation since it became independent in 1966.[1][2]
  • The main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) party — which reached the 31-seat threshold to win a majority — was declared the election winner after incumbent Pres. Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat.[3][4]
  • Based on the latest results, opposition parties have secured more than 90% of seats in parliament, with the UDC securing 35 seats, the Botswana Patriotic Front five seats, and the Botswana Congress Party 14 seats.[5][6]
  • On Friday, Masisi — who was seeking the second full term — admitted that he didn't expect the BDP to lose by a landslide, adding he would hand over the power to the UDC leader, Duma Boko, and do his 'part in building a strong country.'[7][3]
  • Botswana is the world's top diamond producer by value, with the government owning a 15% stake in diamond giant De Beers. However, as global demand for diamonds slumped, Botswana's economy accordingly contracted by 5.3% in the first quarter of 2024.[8][9]
  • According to the International Monetary Fund, Botswana's unemployment rate has risen to 27%, while economic growth is projected to slow to 1% this year. The UDC has promised to create 450K to 500K jobs within five years.[10][5]

Sources: [1]Dw.Com, [2]Africanews, [3]ABC News, [4]TRT Afrika, [5]BBC News, [6]Al Jazeera (a), [7]New York Times, [8]Reuters, [9]Diamond World and [10]Al Jazeera (b).

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by CNN. The Botswana Democratic Party received a stunning rebuke for its failure to diversify the economy, increase the minimum wage and social grants, and fix rising unemployment, mismanagement, and corruption. This election result is a meaningful breakthrough for Botswana's democracy, which desperately needed to break one-party dominance to rescue itself.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The Africareport. The Umbrella for Democratic Change party's phenomenal rise and Boko's historic win is a relief for millions of Botswana citizens. As the nation enters a new period of profound change, the party will not only deliver on its promises, but it will also develop new growth drivers and make the diamond-rich country one of the wealthiest on the continent.