BOTSWANA: President Mokgweetsi Masisi Concedes Defeat, Promises Smooth Power Transition

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has conceded defeat in the country’s general election, and promised to ensure a peaceful transition of power to a new leader.

As Masisi concedes defeat, a new leader, Gideon Duma Boko, is the man of the moment. Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which had held onto power for nearly six decades, was in position number four on the list of number of parliamentary seats so far secured, according to partial results.

Botswana became independent from Britain in 1966, and BDP has been at the helm. But the nearly 2.5 million people in the southern African nation known for its diamonds, will now see a new leader.

President Masisi called Gideon Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), the main opposition party, to concede defeat. Boko has the most viable path to victory, according to results released so far.

“The public service is apolitical and serves the government of the day. So I expect all focus to shift and stand ready to take instruction and subscribe to the dictates of the new administration,” said Masisi, admitting that his BDP had lost significant support.

“We are Botswana and we will continue and God is always with us.” He said he was “proud of our democratic processes” and that “although I wanted a second term, I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process.”

To his successor, Masisi said: “I look forward to attending the coming inauguration and cheering on my successor. He will enjoy my support.”

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