Botswana: President Masisi concedes defeat

Botswana's president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, conceded defeat in the general election Friday, marking an end to his party's 58-year rule.

Partial results announced on Friday already showed that the main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had guaranteed itself a majority in parliament, with the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in fourth place.

"The UDC has reached the minimum requirement to be declared the next government," Independent Electoral Commission spokesperson Osupile Maroba told news agency AFP, saying the UDC had won the required 31 seats for a majority. 

Masisi had already conceded defeat based on the partial results.

"I concede the election. I am proud of our democratic processes. Although I wanted a second term, I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process," Masisi told reporters early in the morning. 

Masisi looks forward to 'cheering on' successor

Opposition leader Duma Boko is poised to become the next president of Botswana. Masisi said he had called Boko to concede.

Boko, 54, is a lawyer and has previously contested the elections in 2014 and 2019.

"I look forward to attending the coming inauguration and cheering on my successor. He will enjoy my support," Masisi added.

Botswana gained independence from Britain in 1966. Since then, the BDP has dominated national politics for nearly 60 years.

The southern African nation is one of the continent's most stable democracies. It is the second largest producer of diamonds in the world. 

However, as global demand for diamonds has slumped, the economy has suffered. The unemployment rate has risen to more than 27%.  

Masisi has received a lot of criticism for not doing enough to diversify the economy. 

tg/kb (AFP, AP, Reuters)