Botswana held national elections Wednesday to determine if the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) will maintain its 58-year grip on power since independence from Britain in 1966.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi, 63, a former teacher and UN employee, seeks a second term amid growing economic challenges.
The country, long celebrated as an African success story for its stability and living standards, faces pressure from declining diamond revenues. Unemployment has risen to 27%, with youth unemployment significantly higher.
The BDP acknowledges the need for economic diversification, as diamonds constitute over 80% of exports and a quarter of GDP.
Diamond sales at Debswana, jointly owned with De Beers Group, dropped nearly 50% in early 2024, straining government finances.
Three candidates challenge Masisi: Duma Boko, Dumelang Saleshando, and Mephato Reatile. The election has revived tensions with former President Ian Khama, who campaigns against Masisi after going into exile.
Over a million voters are registered in this nation, largely covered by the Kalahari Desert. Results are expected within days. The BDP promises new economic initiatives, including mineral processing and expanding agriculture and tourism sectors.
The party’s dominance faces its strongest challenge yet as economic uncertainty narrows the gap with opposition parties. Drought and desertification threaten development and livelihoods across the country.