DNE Africa – Duma Boko was officially sworn in as the 6th President of Botswana on Friday, ending the 58-year rule of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The newly elected president took the oath of office from Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane at the High Court.
Boko, a leader of the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party (UDC), won a landslide victory in the general election held on Wednesday. The UDC secured 33 out of 61 constituencies, while the BDP was reduced to just four seats.
In his acceptance speech on Botswana Television, Boko emphasized the importance of taking the oath without delay, stating that any postponement would leave the country without a leader. He pledged to immediately address the challenge of diversifying Botswana’s economy, which currently relies heavily on diamond sales.
“Attorney Duma Gideon Boko is the presidential candidate who has the support of more than half of the elected members of parliament. It is my honour and privilege to declare him the president-elect of the Republic of Botswana. I congratulate him with all my heart on the trust the voters have placed in him,” Chief Justice Rannowane said during a briefing.
Earlier in the day, incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi acknowledged the election results and vowed to step down peacefully.
In Botswana, a party needs to win at least 31 constituencies to secure a majority. The UDC’s victory marks a significant shift in the country’s political landscape, ending the BDP’s long-standing dominance.
