Duma Boko Declared Botswana’s Sixth President

November 4, 2024

Duma Boko, from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), has been announced as Botswana’s new president. This is a big change in Botswana’s politics, as he replaces the long-ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Chief Justice Terence Rannowane shared the news on national television.

Botswana’s Electoral System

In Botswana, elections are held to choose 61 members for the National Assembly and 609 local councilors. To win the election, a party must secure at least 31 seats in the National Assembly.

Election Results

In the recent elections, the UDC, led by Boko, won 34 seats in the National Assembly. In comparison, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed since Botswana’s independence in 1966, managed to win only 4 seats. This major shift ends the BDP’s nearly 60-year political dominance, with outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi accepting defeat.

The BDP has ruled Botswana since it became an independent country in 1966. This election result is historic because it’s the first time the BDP has lost its majority in almost six decades. This change reflects a new direction for Botswana and a possible shift in policies under Boko’s leadership.

About Duma Boko

Boko’s academic journey began at the University of Botswana (UB) in 1987, where he pursued a law degree. During his studies, he became actively involved in student governance, being elected to the Student Representative Council (SRC). Boko’s law classmates included notable figures who would later become High Court judges, such as Michael Leburu, Key Dingake, Bengbame Sechele, and Lot Moroka, establishing a network of distinguished professionals in the legal field. After graduating in 1993, Boko furthered his education at Harvard Law School, obtaining a Master of Laws degree. He returned to UB, where he served as a law lecturer from 1993 until 2003, contributing to the education of future legal practitioners.

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