Botswana, via elections consistently leading democracy in Africa – AU

African Union (AU) has noted that Botswana is consistently leading democracy in Africa, while showcasing consolidation of effective democratic governance through the regular elections since independence in September 1966.

AU Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat who in a statement released recently disclosed this commended the Government and People of Botswana for the conduct of a peaceful, transparent and credible general elections of 30 October 2024.

In this regard, the Chairperson congratulated the newly elected President of the Republic of Botswana, Duma Boko and leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition on his brilliant election.
Likewise, he commended the former President, Mokgweetsi Masisi for his exemplary leadership and magnanimity by ensuring smooth transfer of power and conceding defeat prior to the release of official election results.

Furthermore, the Chairperson applauds all Batswana and stakeholders for their strong belief in democracy and contributions to the just concluded elections.

Faki Mahamat expressed deep appreciation to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for efficiently leading the AU Election Observation Mission to Botswana.
He reaffirmed African Union’s steadfast commitment to the implementation of Agenda 2063, premised on the promotion and safeguard of constitutional democracy and inclusive governance of AU Member States.

Report has it that the shock defeat of the long-Botswana Democratic Party has been attributed largely to mounting economic grievances, particularly among young people.

The President Mokgweetsi Masisi who conceded defeat on Friday evening after preliminary results showed his party had lost its parliamentary majority by a landslide in last week’s election, ending nearly six decades in power.
Masisi promised to go forward in a smooth power transition and he is currently handing over to the new president, 54-year-old Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition.

The election result registers the anger of citizens over economic stagnation linked to a decline in the diamond trade, upon which the country’s economy depends.

Unlike many, observers say Botswana’s leaders have largely resisted the urge to steal, or squander their commodity windfall, instead spending it on health, education and social welfare, but a downturn in the global diamond market caused economic growth to plummet this year to a projected 1%, while unemployment rose to 28%.

Botswana is the world’s top producer by value of diamonds, and the government owns a 15% stake in diamond giant De Beers, a unit of Anglo American. Masisi last year negotiated a bigger share of its raw diamonds with the company.

The new president has said Boko said he would try to reach out to De Beers “as quickly as possible” to hear its concerns. He has also campaigned on issues such as raising the minimum wage and increasing social grants.