Botswana’s stability tested in tough election for President Masisi

Botswana goes to the polls this Wednesday with incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi facing three main challengers in what analysts are calling the country’s most competitive vote yet. The prosperous, diamond-rich nation has maintained a stable democracy since gaining independence from Britain in 1966.

For the first time, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) faces strong opposition bolstered by former president Ian Khama, who is campaigning against Masisi after a bitter public fallout.

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana declared independence on 30 September 1966, adopting a democratic system. The BDP has held power since then, with independence leader Seretse Khama as its first president.

The current BDP candidate, 60-year-old Masisi, was selected by Khama to succeed him in 2018 when he reached his two-term limit.

One of four presidential candidates, he's the favourite to win the election, which is open to one million registered voters.

Masisi, a US-educated former school teacher, won the 2019 polls with 52 percent of the vote. Shortly after taking office, he reversed several of Khama’s policies, including lifting a ban on trophy hunting, and removed the intelligence chief, a key Khama ally.

It was the start of a long, public feud.

Return from exile

After a self-imposed exile in South Africa, Khama returned to Botswana six weeks ago, calling his decision to hand power to Masisi in 2018 a “mistake”.

(with AFP)