Botswana president concedes election defeat: Video
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi announced on Friday, November 1 that he would step aside following a defeat in the recent general elections, according to preliminary results.
At a press conference, Masisi congratulated the opposition on their victory and conceded the election, describing his tenure as "a good journey."
Masisi, who has led the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) since 2018, stated he would begin the necessary administrative work to facilitate a smooth transition.
The BDP has been in power since Botswana gained independence from Britain in 1966.
Preliminary tallies indicate that three opposition parties collectively won at least 31 out of 61 seats in the national legislature, positioning them to form the next government.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) emerged as a significant force, securing over 24 seats, while the Botswana Congress Party and Botswana Patriotic Front garnered around a dozen seats between them.
If confirmed by the electoral commission later today, UDC leader Duma Boko, a Harvard-educated human rights lawyer, will be poised to assume the presidency.
Masisi expressed his readiness to transition into a role as a loyal opposition party, committed to holding the new government accountable.
