Addressing the media after an official handover of office
Monday, Boko praised outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi for ensuring a
seamless transfer of power.
Boko’s party, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, will form
the next government.
“Botswana today, sends a message to the whole world and
says democracy is alive here, democracy is in action,” Boko said. “This is
democracy in motion; this is democracy exemplified, sent as an abiding lesson
to the whole world to say to the African continent — it must happen, it can
happen and when it does, it is one of the most beautiful experiences a country
can go through.”
Masisi’s former ruling Botswana Democratic Party was
soundly beaten, winning only four out of 61 National Assembly seats. Analysts
blamed mounting economic grievances, particularly among young people, for the
party’s downfall.
The former president said he had a duty to ensure that the
first change of government since 1966 was seamless.
“I knew I had a responsibility to make sure we set a
standard, because we have never had a change of government as in a different
party taking over in this country,” Masisi said. “So the onerousness of the
responsibility on me was massive and I had to lead.”
Masisi, who served only one out of a possible two five-year
terms, said he will not run for political office again.
Piers Pigou of the Institute of Security Studies in
Pretoria said the smooth transition in Botswana was expected.
“The fact that we have had an expedited and smooth transfer
of power should really surprise no one given Botswana’s pedigree,” Pigou said.
“Of course, there are many lessons for the region where such reflections of
such pluralism are largely absent. One hopes there will be lessons learned.”
Pigou said Botswana has always been a shining example of
democracy in the region, backed by independent public institutions.
“Notwithstanding the fact that Botswana has been ruled by
one party for almost six decades until this recent election, it is nevertheless
held out as an example of democratic practice, strong independent institutions
for the most part in the southern Africa region,” he said.
“There have been concerns of late of compromising those
institutions, corruption and so forth under the Masisi administration. But I
think by and large what this election has showed is that the institutions have
held firm.”
Masisi said his hands are clean and is prepared to defend
himself if called to answer for any supposed improprieties while in office. VOA
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