GABORONE: Things move very fast in Botswana. The new president, Duma Boko was sworn into office yesterday, only hours after the elections commission confirmed he had won Wednesday’s general election.
The 54-year-old human rights lawyer and head of the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition took the oath of office in a closed session with the chief justice then addressed the nation, pledging to significantly increase the minimum wage to 4,000 pula ($300) and introduce universal health insurance.
Outgoing president Mokgweetsi Masisi, who had been confident of re-election, conceded defeat early Friday after results confirmed that the BDP would fall short of the majority needed to form a government.
Masisi acknowledged the party’s failure to address rising unemployment, which hit 27% this year, and the country’s economic slump, compounded by low diamond revenues. Botswana’s economic growth is expected to slow to just one percent this year, a key issue in the election.
Duma Boko, a long-time opposition leader, hailed the peaceful transfer of power, calling it “a new level of democracy” for Botswana.
The election and speedy transfer of power live up to Botswana’s reputation for good governance and efficiency especially as compared to fellow SADC member, Mozambique where elections on 9 October, almost a month ago, have descended into street chaos.
jm/today/2.11.2024
