Botswana elections: Ruling party seeks to extend 58 years in power
Al JazeeraNOV 2024
Botswana: Ruling Party Loses 58-Year Majority
Above: Mokgweetsi Masisi marks his ballot on Oct. 30, 2024, during Botswana's general election. Image copyright: PHILL MAGAKOE/ Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The Botswana Democratic Party received a stunning rebuke for its failure to diversify the economy, increase the minimum wage and social grants, and fix rising unemployment, mismanagement, and corruption. This election result is a meaningful breakthrough for Botswana's democracy, which desperately needed to break one-party dominance to rescue itself.
Narrative B
The Umbrella for Democratic Change party's phenomenal rise and Boko's historic win is a relief for millions of Botswana citizens. As the nation enters a new period of profound change, the party will not only deliver on its promises, but it will also develop new growth drivers and make the diamond-rich country one of the wealthiest on the continent.