Duma Boko, the presidential candidate from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), was officially inaugurated as Botswana’s sixth president on Friday. In a formal ceremony held in the capital, Gaborone, Boko took his oath of office before Chief Justice Terence Rannowane, just hours after being declared the winner of Wednesday’s closely contested election.
In his inaugural address, Boko expressed heartfelt gratitude to the citizens of Botswana for their overwhelming support and emphasized his commitment to working diligently in his new role. Chief Justice Rannowane announced Boko’s victory on national television, underscoring the public’s trust in his leadership abilities and the mandate given to him by the electorate.
The announcement marks a pivotal moment in Botswana’s political landscape, as Boko’s election signifies the end of nearly six decades of rule by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which suffered a surprising defeat in the recent elections. According to Botswana’s electoral laws, the election results determine the composition of 61 National Assembly members and 609 local councilors, with the presidency awarded to the party that secures at least 31 parliamentary seats.
While the final vote count remains pending, preliminary results indicate that the UDC has already secured an impressive 34 National Assembly seats, in stark contrast to the BDP, which has only managed to obtain four. This outcome represents a significant shift in the political dynamics of Botswana, reflecting the changing preferences of the electorate.
