CIVICUS discusses Botswana’s new government with Dumiso Gatsha, director of Success Capital, a local youth-led LGBTQI+ organisation.
Botswana’s 2024 election made history. The Botswana Democratic Party’s 58-year rule ended when the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition secured a shock victory. This shift was met with optimism, with many hoping to see progress on human rights, including LGBTQI+ rights and civil society freedoms. However, change has been slower than anticipated. While the election demonstrated the power of people’s participation, structural reforms remain stalled and civil society and excluded groups, including LGBTQI+ people, still face serious challenges.