Duma Boko Sworn In as New President of Botswana

Duma Boko takes office as Botswana’s new president, marking a significant change in the nation’s leadership. Explore his vision, priorities, and what this leadership shift means for Botswana’s future.

Botswana has inaugurated Duma Boko as the new president following his overwhelming election victory, which ended nearly 60 years of governance by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

On Friday, 54-year-old Boko was sworn in before several thousand attendees at the national stadium, just nine days after his Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) decisively defeated the BDP in elections.

“For almost sixty years, our democracy remained unchallenged and without trial. On October 30th of this year, we collectively put it to the test,” Boko stated in a speech.

“It is with pride, and perhaps a bit of relief, that I can confidently say we have excelled in this test,” he announced to the cheering crowd.

“United, we welcome a new era in politics.”

Last week, Boko’s left-leaning UDC secured 36 parliamentary seats, while the conservative BDP managed only four. This marked a surprising shift for the party that had led diamond-rich Botswana since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.

Former President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who acknowledged his party’s significant loss two days post-elections as the results became evident, was present among other regional leaders from countries like Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Despite the crowd booing Masisi, the new president commended his predecessor for displaying “statesmanship.”

“Let’s show him some love,” Boko urged the stadium crowd.

Botswana has exemplified a true democracy in action, serving as a model for the world to admire and follow. As a result, the former president will be forever cherished in our hearts.

Approximately one-third of the over one million registered voters in this arid and sparsely populated country were young individuals.

Botswana, frequently celebrated as one of Africa’s most successful nations, is considered one of the wealthiest and most stable democracies on the continent. However, a global decline in demand for mined diamonds—which represent over 80 percent of Southern African exports—has negatively impacted its economy.

Numerous voters expressed a desire for change following almost sixty years of BDP governance, with their primary concerns centered around unemployment, economic inequality, and the overall state of the economy. The sharp decline in diamond sales, Botswana’s key revenue source, has significantly impacted these issues.

The government led by Masisi faced accusations of mismanagement, nepotism, and corruption.

Boko has stated that a key priority for his government will be to stabilize relations with partners in the diamond industry, while also striving to diversify the economy and reduce its reliance on the global diamond market.