On Monday, November 4, Botswana held a peaceful handover ceremony as newly elected President Duma Boko officially took office. In his inaugural address, Boko praised the smooth transition of power, describing it as “without drama, apprehension, or acrobatics,” and commending Botswana’s democratic strength.
Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who gracefully accepted defeat, was present to endorse the transfer, emphasizing Botswana’s tradition of stability and respect for electoral outcomes.
Reflecting on the historic nature of the election, which unseated a party that had governed since 1958, Boko expressed his gratitude for the peaceful transition, saying: “His Excellency called me and assured me he would cede power, and today, we stand here without apprehension or acrobatics.”
Masisi, acknowledging the results even before they were fully confirmed, reiterated his respect for the democratic process, stating that his party now had to “learn” to operate as an opposition minority. His party claimed only 6 seats out of 61, while Boko’s left-wing alliance won a majority with 36 seats.
Boko contrasted Botswana’s transition with other nations, noting that in less stable countries, a change like this might have led to civil unrest. “In other countries,” he said, “we would be facing turmoil, with the outgoing party refusing to accept the results.”