One million voters began voting on Wednesday, October 30, to elect the future president as well as the future Parliament in Botswana, a stable democracy in southern Africa dominated by the same party since the independence of this former colony from the United Kingdom in 1966. The stations opened at 6:30 am (local time, 5:30 am in Paris) and will remain open until 7 pm, with results expected on Thursday evening.
The campaign has seen renewed vitality in recent weeks thanks to the efforts of former head of state Seretse Ian Khama to damage the outgoing party, Mokgweetsi Masisi, which he had appointed and whose first term was marked by a sluggish economy, very dependent on diamonds. . Growth is expected to slow to 1% in 2024, from 2.7% in 2023, according to the World Bank. Unemployment reaches 27%, and up to 38% among young people.
The eloquent Mokgweetsi Masisi, 63, is seeking a second term under the banner of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) against a divided opposition, in this desert country with only 2.6 million inhabitants. Opposite him, the opposition is led by a left-wing coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, 54, a human rights lawyer. But his chances of victory diminished when his two main opposition partners – the Botswana Congress Party and the Botswana Patriotic Front – decided to field their own presidential candidates.
The former president returns from exile
For voters like Ookeditse Letshwenyo, 23, who thought the ruling UDC would provide more job opportunities for young people, the opposition’s split represented a bitter disappointment. “Since our independence we have been governed by the same people, with the same mentality, the same objectives”complains this young entrepreneur who has launched a technological start-up. “We cannot beat the BDP if we are divided”duck.
“We live in peace in this country thanks to the BDP”says, on the contrary, Queen Mosiane, 34 years old. “Now is not the time to change. » During a final campaign rally on Tuesday, in front of several hundred red-clad supporters gathered at dusk in the capital, President Masisi showed his confidence: “In 2019 I won everything in Gaborone [la capitale du pays]. This time I will confirm it! »
Voters are called to express themselves in a simple majority system that requires the greatest number of seats to win, not 50%. The party with the largest number of deputies will form a government headed by its presidential candidate.
The charismatic Ian Khama, 71, returned from exile six weeks ago hoping to repair what he said was a” mistake “ by giving up his place in 2018 to Mokgweetsi Masisi. If he cannot run again, after serving two terms (2008 to 2018), he will primarily support the BPF and has held rallies that drew large crowds.
An economy dependent on diamonds
This movement was founded by his followers when he left the ruling party a few months after Masisi, winner of the 2019 presidential election with 52% of the vote, took office. If Khama’s role is not to be underestimated, his influence is limited to a few districts, including the center, where he is a tribal chief, analysts note. According to experts, Masisi should win. “The path to victory for the BDP seems not only likely, but increasingly clear”the independent newspaper wrote on Tuesday Mmegui.
Under Masisi’s government, growth suffered as demand for diamonds – the country’s main source of income – weakened in the face of competition from synthetic diamonds. “The government continues to spend excessively, despite falling revenues. “We are heading towards crisis”estimates Zibani Maundeni, a political scientist at the University of Botswana.
“Citizens have the impression of not taking full advantage of the country’s mineral wealth”points out Tendai Mbanje, a researcher at the African Center for Governance, although these revenues have allowed the State to build schools, hospitals and modern infrastructure and continue financing education and health.
