Botswana inaugurated its new president, Duma Boko, on Friday, marking a successful power transition following his stunning electoral win that ended nearly six decades of rule by the previous party.
Boko, 54, took his oath in front of thousands gathered at the national stadium in Gaborone, the capital.
The event was graced by the leaders of several southern African nations, including those from Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
“I stand before you today as a true reflection of your unwavering and genuine commitment,” the former human rights lawyer turned politician addressed the audience.
“This is your narrative. Embrace it, participate in it. Own it, recognise the part you have played and continue to play in its development.” He added.
Boko’s left-leaning Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) secured 36 parliamentary seats in the election held on October 30, while the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) managed only four, marking a remarkable shift for the party that has governed diamond-rich Botswana since gaining independence from Britain in 1966.
The previous president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, who promptly acknowledged his defeat a week ago as the outcome became apparent, was also present at the event.
Dressed in a blue shirt and black tie—colors representing the Botswana flag—Boko began the ceremony by driving around the stadium in a vehicle, accompanied by galloping white horses, while waving to the jubilant crowd.
Leading up to the election in the sparsely populated, arid nation of around 2.6 million, unemployment and an economic downturn were at the forefront of voters’ concerns.
According to the Southern African Development Community observer mission’s report, voter participation reached 80 per cent, with youth comprising about 34 per cent of the over one million registered voters.
“Youth, we are the leaders of today, not just tomorrow, and we showcased that through our engagement in the voting process,” said Ipotseng Negroes, a 35-year-old farmer present at the inauguration.