GABORONE, Oct 30 – Botswana’s voters went to the polls Wednesday in an election that could see President Mokgweetsi Masisi secure a second term amid an economic downturn fueled by declining global demand for diamonds.
Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed since independence in 1966, is favored to win but faces its most serious challenge from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), a coalition led by attorney Duma Boko. The BDP also faces competition from two additional parties that have fielded presidential candidates, though they remain smaller players.
Voting began smoothly in the capital, Gaborone, with long lines outside polling stations as over one million people registered to vote in a country with a population of roughly 2.3 million.
Supporters shared diverse views on the vote. Penny Mogale, 35, a small business owner, said she backed the BDP, crediting Masisi’s entrepreneurship programs for helping her start her catering business. “There are no jobs available, but the government is giving us an opportunity to create jobs for ourselves. I want the party to continue with these initiatives,” she said.
Others voiced frustration over economic hardships. Teto Mosweunyane, a 26-year-old security guard, plans to vote for change, citing low wages and long hours. “We work long hours but earn very little, and the government has been reluctant to raise the minimum wage,” he said. The UDC has promised to more than double the monthly minimum wage from 1,500 pula ($112) to 4,000 pula if it wins.
Economic concerns have dominated campaigns. Although Botswana is among the wealthiest per capita in sub-Saharan Africa, a drop in diamond sales led to a downgrade of the country’s growth forecast for 2024 to just 1%. As the world’s top diamond producer by value, Botswana has struggled to diversify its economy away from dependence on this sector.
Opposition parties have pointed to the country’s weakening growth, unemployment, and inequality as critical issues. Masisi has acknowledged the economic strain, attributing setbacks to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, while asserting that his job creation plans remain underway.
