Botswana welcomes a new era as Duma Boko is sworn in as president

Botswana celebrated a historic moment as Duma Boko took the presidential oath, marking a new chapter for the country after nearly six decades of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) governance. Boko, 54, was inaugurated in front of thousands at the national stadium, just over a week after his Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) party won a landslide victory in the October 30 elections.

Boko’s inauguration speech honored Botswana’s longstanding democratic values, which were tested and reaffirmed in this election. “Together, we usher in a new political dawn,” Boko said, acknowledging the collective effort to bring about change.

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The UDC won 36 parliamentary seats to the BDP’s four, a dramatic shift in the political landscape of the diamond-rich nation. The election drew high turnout from young voters, who comprised nearly a third of the registered electorate. Economic concerns, particularly around employment and income inequality, motivated voters, especially amid a downturn in global diamond demand that has impacted Botswana’s revenue.

Former President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who conceded defeat, attended the ceremony and received praise from Boko for his statesmanship. “Botswana has set the example of a true democracy at work for the whole world to see and emulate,” Boko said, calling for the crowd to show respect to Masisi.