CIVICUS discusses the opposition’s victory in Botswana’s recent election with Dumiso Gatsha, founder of Success Capital, a local LGBTQI+ grassroots organisation led by young people.
Botswana’s opposition coalition, led by Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), won a historic victory in the 30 October parliamentary election, unseating the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) after 58 years in power. Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat and promised a smooth transition, and Boko, a human rights lawyer, was soon sworn in, promising to deliver on campaign promises of higher wages and improved social services.