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Nation & World

Botswana president concedes defeat in election, ending ruling party's 58 years in power

Botswana President Mogweetsi Masisi has conceded defeat in the election in a seismic moment of change for the county that ended the ruling party’s 58 years in power since independence from Britain in 1966
Botswana Democratic Party President Mokgweetsi Masisi casts his vote during an election to decide if it keeps faith with one of the Africa's longest-ruling parties, at a Mosielele primary school in Moshupa village, Southern District of Botswana, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Botswana Democratic Party President Mokgweetsi Masisi casts his vote during an election to decide if it keeps faith with one of the Africa's longest-ruling parties, at a Mosielele primary school in Moshupa village, Southern District of Botswana, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
5 hours ago

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — Botswana President Mogweetsi Masisi conceded defeat in the general election Friday, in a seismic moment of change for the county that ended the ruling party's 58 years in power since independence from Britain in 1966.

Masisi's concession came before final results were announced, with his Botswana Democratic Party trailing in fourth place in the parliamentary elections.

The main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change held a strong lead in the partial results, making its candidate, Duma Boko, the favorite to become president of a southern African country that is one of the world's biggest producers of mined diamonds.

Masisi said he had called Boko to inform him he was conceding defeat.

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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) presidential candidate Duma Boko speaks to journalist after casting his vote during the elections in Gaborone, Botswana, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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Credit: AP

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) presidential candidate Duma Boko holds his ballot paper before inserting it into the box during the elections in Gaborone, Botswana, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

Botswana Democratic Party President Mokgweetsi Masisi speaks to journalist after casting his vote during during an election to decide if it keeps faith with one of the Africa's longest-ruling parties, at a Mosielele primary school in Moshupa village, southern District of Botswana, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

Residents wait for their turns to cast their votes during an election to decide if it keeps faith with one of the Africa's longest-ruling parties, in Gaborone, Botswana, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

An election official marks a voter's finger with indelible ink at a polling station after casting his vote during the elections at a Mosielele primary school in Moshupa village, Southern District of Botswana, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

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