{"id":13179,"date":"2024-11-01T17:26:37","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T17:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ugandaupdatenews.com\/?p=13179"},"modified":"2024-11-01T17:26:45","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T17:26:45","slug":"botswana-ruling-party-rejected-after-58-years-in-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/botswana-ruling-party-rejected-after-58-years-in-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Botswana ruling party rejected after 58 years in power"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Voters in Botswana have rejected the country\u2019s long-serving governing party in a result that marks a political earthquake in the diamond-rich southern African nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) – in power since independence in 1966 – has won only four parliamentary seats as of Friday afternoon. It will be replaced by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a phone call to UDC leader Duma Boko, President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded and congratulated his opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite overseeing a dramatic change in Botswana, recent poor economic growth and high unemployment dented the BDP\u2019s popularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The party “had got it wrong big time”, Masisi told a press conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the new government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s a shock to me in terms of the numbers. I’m humbled and I can only pledge to [the people of Botswana] that we’ll do the very best,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the third time he had run as a presidential candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UDC and other opposition party supporters have been celebrating in the capital, Gaborone, and elsewhere in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I did not ever think I would witness this change in my life,” 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi, who had gone on to the streets of Gaborone, told the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The BDP had stayed too long in power and I am proud to be part of the people that removed them for a better Botswana,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n