Botswana’s newly elected leader, Duma Boko, said Africa can draw vital lessons from his country’s smooth transition of power. Boko’s statements came after the Botswana Democratic Party, which has ruled the country since independence in 1966, suffered a crushing defeat in the elections that took place last week.
Addressing the media after the official handover of office on Monday, Boko praised outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi for ensuring a smooth transition of power.
Boko’s umbrella party for democratic change will form the next government.
“Botswana today is sending a message to the whole world and saying that democracy is alive here, and democracy is working,” Boko said. “This is democracy in motion; This is democracy embodied, sent as a binding lesson to the whole world to tell the African continent – it must happen, it can happen, and when it happens, it is one of the most beautiful experiences any country can have.
Masisi’s former ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) suffered a crushing defeat, winning just four of the 61 seats in the National Assembly. Analysts blamed growing economic grievances, especially among young people, for the party’s downfall.
The former president said it was his duty to ensure that the first change of government since 1966 was smooth.
“I knew it was my responsibility to make sure we set the standards, because we have never seen a change in government like another party taking over this country,” Masisi said. “So the weight of responsibility on me was enormous and I had to lead.”
Masisi, who has served only one of two possible five-year terms, said he would not run for political office again.
Pierce Bigo of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria said a smooth transition in Botswana was expected.
“The fact that we have a quick and smooth transition of power should not really surprise anyone given Botswana’s pedigree,” Bigo said. “Of course, there are many lessons for the region where these reflections of this pluralism are largely absent. One hopes that there will be lessons learned.”
Bigo said Botswana has always been a shining example of democracy in the region, supported by independent public institutions.
“Despite the fact that Botswana was ruled by one party for nearly six decades until the last elections, it is nonetheless an example of democratic practice and mostly strong independent institutions in the southern African region,” he said.
“There have been concerns recently about the endangerment of those institutions, corruption etc. under the Masisi administration. But I think overall what this election showed is that institutions have held strong.”
Masisi said his hands are clean and he is ready to defend himself if he is called to respond to any alleged wrongdoing while in office. Voice of America
