ON October 30, Botswana heads to the polls in a national election with President Mokgweetsi Masisi widely expected to win a second term. Masisi, the leader of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), has held power since 2018, and his party has governed the country since independence from Britain in 1966.
In this election, voters will select members of the National Assembly, who will then choose the president. Masisi faces competition from three challengers, all of whom aim to upset the dominance of the BDP.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi
Mokgweetsi Masisi, 63, has led Botswana since 2018, after succeeding Ian Khama, under whom he served as vice president. He retained his position following the BDP’s victory in the 2019 election. A former schoolteacher and UNICEF worker, Masisi has had to contend with a sluggish economy, exacerbated by declining global demand for diamonds, which form the backbone of Botswana’s economy.
Last year, Masisi secured a deal with diamond giant De Beers, increasing Botswana’s share of its diamond wealth. However, critics argue he has not done enough to diversify the economy and tackle the country’s high unemployment rate. His strained relationship with Khama, who has accused him of authoritarianism, remains a key feature of the political landscape. Khama is now supporting an opposition party.
Duma Boko
Duma Boko, 54, is the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), an opposition coalition. A lawyer by profession, Boko is running for the presidency for the third time. His party, which came second in the 2019 election, remains the BDP’s most significant challenger.
Boko’s manifesto focuses on expanding the government’s role in the economy to achieve sustainable growth and social development. In 2019, Boko challenged the election results in court, claiming fraud, but the case was dismissed. He continues to push for a shift in Botswana’s economic policies.
Dumelang Saleshando
Dumelang Saleshando, 53, leads the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), which was founded in 1998. The BCP typically garners between 10-20% of the vote. Saleshando took over leadership of the party from his father in 2010, and his campaign is focused on social democratic principles, with the motto ‘Save Botswana.’ While his party has not posed a major threat in past elections, he remains a significant figure in opposition politics.
Mephato Reatile
Mephato Reatile, leader of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), is another challenger in this year’s race. The BPF was created in 2019 by members of the ruling party loyal to former president Ian Khama, following his public fallout with Masisi. The party only won about 4 percent of the vote in 2019, but Khama’s return from three years in exile to support the BPF could boost its standing.
Khama, the son of Botswana’s founding president Seretse Khama, has a strong political legacy, and his backing of the BPF adds an element of unpredictability to the election.
A pivotal election
Botswana’s upcoming election will be closely watched, as the country balances economic challenges and political tensions. While Masisi is the clear favourite to retain the presidency, his opponents are eager to challenge the status quo. Key issues, such as unemployment, economic diversification, and the country’s reliance on diamond exports, are likely to dominate the political discourse.
With a history of stability and democratic governance, Botswana’s election results will shape the nation’s future direction.
