The new president, Duma Boko, won the election by a landslide in last month’s election. Boko’s UDC party also won a majority in the parliament of Botswana, known for its diamond mines.
Botswana gained independence from Britain in 1966. The same party, the Democratic Party of Botswana (DUP), has ruled the country ever since.
In the October elections, a 54-year-old came to power Duma Bokon led by the UDC party. Boko was sworn in today. Former president Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat and watched the inauguration ceremony in the crowd. Leaders of other southern African countries also participated in the event. Among others, the presidents of Madagascar, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia were present.
The UDC party also won a majority in the Botswana parliament.
Voter turnout in the country of 2.6 million inhabitants was 80 percent.
AFP