Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) on Friday beat the incumbent President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi to emerge winner of the 2024 Presidential election.
Voters in Botswana rejected the country’s long-serving governing party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in a result that marks a political earthquake in the diamond-rich southern African country.
BDP which has ruled since independence from Britain in 1966, only won four parliamentary seats as of Friday afternoon.
In a phone call to UDC leader Duma Boko, President Masisi conceded and congratulated his opponent.
Masisi said he would “step aside” after his party suffered a resounding defeat in general elections.
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“I wish to congratulate the opposition on their victory and concede the election,” Masisi told reporters at a press conference, adding it had been “a good journey”.
Here are African Countries where opposition parties won presidential election
- 2024 – Botswana, Senegal
- 2023 – Liberia
- 2022 – Lesotho, Somalia
- 2021 – Zambia, Cape Verde
- 2020 – Seychelles, Malawi
- 2018 – DR Congo, Sierra Leone, Madagascar
- 2017 – Liberia, Somalia, Lesotho
- 2016 – Ghana, Benin, The Gambia
- 2015 – Nigeria
- 2014 – Mauritius, Malawi
- 2013 – Madagascar
- 2012 – Mali, Senegal, Lesotho, Somalia
- 2011 – Niger, Zambia, Cape Verde
- 2010 – Cote d’Ivoire
- 2008 – Ghana
- 2007 – Sierra Leone
- 2006 – Benin
- 2005 – Mauritius
- 2002 – Kenya
- 2001 – Madagascar
- 2000 – Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mauritius, Ghana
- 1998 – Lesotho
- 1996 – Benin, Madagascar
- 1995 – Mauritius
- 1994 – Malawi
- 1993 – Burundi, Central African Republic, Niger, Madagascar
- 1992 – Congo
- 1991 – Zambia, Benin, Cape Verde
- 1982 – Mauritius