GABORONE – Voters in Botswana have delivered a shock defeat to the party that has ruled them for nearly six decades, fueling their anger at economic stagnation linked to the decline of the diamond trade, handing victory to opposition presidential candidate Duma Boko.

The 54-year-old, from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition, will replace President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who conceded defeat on Friday after his Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) lost in a landslide for the first given in 58 years.

“From tomorrow… I will start the handover process,” Masisi said in an audio clip of his phone call to Boko, which the outgoing leader posted on social media, signaling a smooth transition of power.

“You can count on me to always be there to give you any guidance you want… We will stand down to be a loyal opposition.”

Boko has yet to speak publicly about the outcome. Chief Justice Terence Rannowane officially declared him the winner: “I have the honor and privilege to declare him President-elect of Botswana. I deeply congratulate you for the trust that people have shown in you”.

Analysts have blamed growing economic discontent, particularly among young people, for the downfall of the BDP, which has ruled the South African state of about 2.5 million people since independence from Britain in 1966.

Like many African countries, Botswana’s economy has depended heavily on the export of a single commodity – in its case, diamonds.

Unlike many, its leaders have largely resisted the urge to steal or waste their goods, spending instead on health, education and social welfare. Botswana’s GDP per capita was $7,250 in 2023 – compared to a sub-Saharan African average of $4,800, World Bank data shows.

But a slump in the global diamond market has caused economic growth to drop this year to an estimated 1 percent, while unemployment has risen to 28 percent.

Botswana is the world’s largest diamond producer and the government owns a 15% stake in diamond giant De Beers, a unit of Anglo American. Masisi negotiated a larger share of his rough diamonds with the company last year.

Boko has not indicated that he wants to change the deal.

“NOTHING TO OFFER”

State television showed that based on results from 55 out of 61 constituencies, the UDC won 32 seats in parliament, one more than it needed for a majority. The largest party elects the president. BDP was in last place out of four parties, with only four seats.

“After 58 years in power (the BDP) has had nothing new to offer,” said analyst Ringisai Chikohomero of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria.

The UDC, on the other hand, presented ambitious policy proposals, he said. He pledged to double the minimum wage, improve social services and create a more independent judiciary, among other measures.

The capital Gaborone was quiet on Friday morning, with small groups of opposition supporters celebrating in the streets.

“I never thought I would witness this change in my life,” said 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi. “The BDP has stayed too long… and I am proud to be part of the people who pushed them away.”

The BDP was the second long-standing party in South Africa to lose its majority at the polls this year, after South Africa’s African National Congress failed to win more than half the vote for the first time in 30 year old.

Neighboring Namibia will hold elections later this month, where the ruling SWAPO party, which has ruled since 1990, is also expected to face a tough challenge.

“Botswana’s election result should serve as a warning to South Africa’s long-standing ruling parties, and beyond that, without economic progress and job opportunities, political dominance will weaken,” analyst Zaynab Hoosen said. Africa at Pangea-Risk consulting firm. Reuters