Botswana Democratic Social gathering stays a favorite regardless of gradual financial progress brought on by declining demand for diamonds.
Botswana is voting in a normal election through which President Mokgweetsi Masisi is searching for a second time period and his ruling occasion hopes to increase its practically six a long time in energy.
Masisi, 63, is competing in opposition to three challengers on Wednesday for an additional five-year time period. His Botswana Democratic Social gathering (BDP) – which has ruled the nation of two.3 million folks for 58 years, since independence from British rule in 1966 – stays the favorite regardless of its lowering recognition.
The BDP faces a divided opposition with its largest problem coming from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), a coalition led by lawyer Duma Boko.
Additionally operating for president are Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Social gathering and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana Patriotic Entrance.
The BDP – amongst Africa’s longest ruling events – retains a majority in parliament, having gained 38 of 57 contested seats in 2019.
Botswana is taken into account to be one of the steady nations in Africa, however it’s dealing with financial challenges due to the worldwide downturn within the demand for diamonds, which it depends on. It’s the second largest producer of diamonds after Russia.
The nation has struggled to diversify its financial system. Unemployment has risen to 27 p.c this yr and is considerably greater for younger folks.
The BDP says it has listened to the considerations of voters and can pursue new income streams resembling processing mineral assets and growing the agriculture and tourism sectors.
One in every of its marketing campaign slogans has been “Altering Collectively, Constructing Prosperity”.
Polls opened at 6:30am (04:30 GMT) for multiple million folks registered to vote. The election will decide the make-up of parliament, and lawmakers will later elect the president.
‘New Botswana’
“We’re involved about problems with employment and wage buildings,” Karabo Manguba, a 29-year-old gross sales government at a radio station informed The Related Press information company. “Voting is a patriotic effort, … and our voices have to be heard.”
One other voter, 38-year-old Lone Kobe, informed the AFP information company: “It’s my time to voice my opinion. I can’t wait. … I want to expertise a brand new Botswana. We’re seeing a proportion of the inhabitants having fun with the advantages.”
Masisi got here to energy in 2018 by way of a deliberate transition after his predecessor Ian Khama served the utmost 10 years in workplace. He stored the job after a 2019 election gained by the BDP.
He managed to barter a brand new contract with diamond large, the De Beers Group, to present Botswana a higher share of its tough diamonds.
Diamonds account for greater than 80 p.c of Botswana’s exports and 1 / 4 of the gross home product (GDP), in line with the World Financial institution.
However Masisi acknowledged the downturn available in the market.
“Our diamonds haven’t been promoting since April so, sure, our revenues are down, however the financial fundamentals nonetheless stay intact,” he mentioned at a presidential debate final week.
Gross sales of tough diamonds at Debswana, the corporate the federal government collectively owns with De Beers, had been down practically 50 p.c within the first half of 2024, in line with the authorities.
Masisi additionally lifted a ban on elephant looking, which he lauded as benefitting rural communities, and instated an import ban on some produce gadgets to assist farmers.
Opponents vying for change
The opposition says the BDP has been in energy for too lengthy and accuse it of financial mismanagement and corruption, which it denies.
“It isn’t acceptable {that a} nation resembling ours, which is the fifth richest per capita in Africa, nonetheless has so many individuals residing in poverty,” the UDC’s Boko mentioned on the debate.
The UDC has pledged to greater than double the minimal wage from 1,500 pula ($112) monthly to 4,000 pula ($300) if it wins.
