A New Dawn for Botswana: President Duma Boko Must Prioritise Economic Revival and Human Rights Reform

On October 30, 2024, Batswana sent a resounding message to their political leadership, ending 58 years of uninterrupted rule by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). In a stunning turn of events, the opposition alliance led by Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), clinched a resounding victory, shattering the once invincible grip of the BDP.

In doing so, they have not only made history but also placed a profound responsibility on the shoulders of President Boko: deliver the change the people desperately need.

Botswana elections have come and gone but the crushing defeat to the BDP that only secured 4 parliamentary seats out of 61 was just catastrophic. The UDC secured a landslide victory of 36 seats followed by the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) with 15 parliamentary seats and the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) 5 seats, this is a party backed by former president Ian Khama and 1 Independent candidate.

Unfortunately for Mokgweetsi Masisi who was the incumbent, he will go down in history as the first, one term president in Botswana and a first to make the once mighty ruling BDP the least opposition party in parliament.

But there is no time for a honeymoon. While the landslide victory is a testament to the people’s frustration with economic decline and human rights abuses, the real work begins now. The challenges before President Boko are monumental with unemployment at a staggering 27%, a failing economy, and widespread poverty. Botswana’s economy has plummeted due to the poor performance of diamonds in the world market and diamonds are Botswana’s major export revenue which account for about 80% of foreign earnings. The task of revitalising the economy will be herculean, yet it is an economic restoration that must come quickly, for the people have placed their trust in Boko.

But the new president’s responsibilities extend far beyond the economic sphere. The state of human rights in Botswana has long been a source of growing concern, particularly under the rule of Presidents Ian Khama and Mokgweetsi Masisi. During their tenures, government agencies regularly used surveillance to monitor opposition figures, journalists, civil society actors, and ordinary citizens. These actions were part of a broader trend of repression, undermining Botswana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in a region marred by instability and authoritarianism.

Masisi and Khama’s surveillance tactics, though deplorable, were arguably products of their backgrounds. Khama, a former soldier and army commander, brought a military mindset to governance where discipline, hierarchy, and obedience were the order of the day. Masisi, with his background as a former schoolmaster, viewed citizens as students to be controlled and monitored. This was not governance by consent, but by command.

Now, Botswana has a new leader, one who is ideally placed to reset the country’s trajectory. President Boko, a human rights lawyer by training, has long been an advocate for democratic principles and civil liberties. Having experienced firsthand the sting of surveillance and intimidation during his years in opposition, Boko is uniquely positioned to usher in a new era of transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights. The time for change is now, and the tools for reform are already in place.

One of the most pressing issues that President Boko must address is the operationalisation of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence (Controlled Investigations) Act 2022. Passed during Masisi’s tenure, this legislation promised to bring much-needed oversight to state surveillance operations. Central to this is the creation of the Controlled Investigations Coordination Committee, an independent body designed to oversee intelligence activities and protect citizens from unwarranted state intrusion.