Botswana will hold its general election on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, with President Mokgweetsi Masisi seeking a second term against three challengers. While analysts suggest the election could be competitive, the opposition’s divided front gives an edge to Masisi’s ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed the country since its independence from Britain in 1966.
Botswana, home to 2.3 million people, has long enjoyed stability and prosperity fueled by diamond wealth. The nation remains the world’s top producer of diamonds by value, enabling its small population to benefit from free healthcare and education. However, a recent downturn in diamond revenues has strained the economy, highlighting Botswana’s need to diversify. Opponents accuse the BDP of economic mismanagement and corruption—claims the party denies.
“Yes, our revenues are down because our diamonds have not been selling since April, but the economic fundamentals still remain intact,” Masisi said during a presidential debate. “We will continue with the projects and policies aimed at putting more money and wealth into the hands of the citizens of this country.” Notably, his administration secured a contract with De Beers, giving Botswana a larger share of its rough diamonds. Masisi also lifted a ban on elephant hunting, which he says supports rural communities, and imposed an import ban on some produce to aid local farmers.
His main opponent, Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), has criticized Masisi’s economic record, citing a 28% unemployment rate and growing poverty. “It is not acceptable that a country such as ours, which is the fifth richest per capita in Africa, still has so many people living in poverty,” Boko said. If elected, he pledges to more than double the minimum wage and increase social grants by cutting wasteful spending.
Two other candidates—Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party and Mephato Reatile of the Botswana Patriotic Front, backed by former President Ian Khama—also seek to challenge the BDP. Khama, who left the BDP after disputes with Masisi over policies including the hunting ban, now supports Reatile.
Despite declining popularity, the BDP retains a strong majority, holding 38 of 57 seats in the last parliamentary election, while the UDC won 15. In Botswana, parliamentarians elect the president, a system that generally favors the ruling party’s candidate. Analysts, however, point to funding disparities as a major obstacle for the opposition.
“The playing field is not even,” commented Ringisai Chikohomero of the Institute for Security Studies. In 2019, the opposition alleged election fraud, but the High Court dismissed the case.
(Reuters)
