On Wednesday, Botswana, a diamond-rich southern African state, will hold a general election in which President Mokgweetsi Masisi will face three opponents for a second term.
Although a divided opposition offers the advantage to Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed the nation of 2.3 million people since its independence from Britain in 1966, commentators predict the poll might be competitive.
Botswana has seen stability and relative prosperity thanks to its small population, which receives free healthcare and education, and its income from diamonds. On the basis of gem value, it is the world’s leading producer.
However, the government has struggled to diversify its economy in recent years due to a decline in the diamond market, which has squeezed income. Critics claim the BDP has been in power for too long and accuse it of corruption and poor economic management, both of which it disputes.
“Our diamonds have not been selling since April so yes, our revenues are down but the economic fundamentals remain intact,” said Masisi at a presidential debate last week.
“We are going to continue with the projects and policies we have come up with that are aimed at putting more money and wealth into the hands of the citizens of this country,” he said.
Negotiating a new deal with diamond tycoon De Beers that will increase Botswana’s portion of its rough diamonds was one of his first term’s accomplishments.
In order to support farmers, he also reinstated a ban on the import of certain product goods and lifted the ban on elephant hunting, which he claims aids rural areas.
Duma Boko of the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is his principal opponent.
Supported by former President Ian Khama, who left the BDP following a dispute with Masisi over the removal of the hunting prohibition and other matters, the other contenders are Mephato Reatile of the Botswana Patriotic Front and Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party.
Masisi’s economic record has come under fire from critics, who point to the country’s rising unemployment rate of about 28%.
“It is not acceptable that a country such as ours which is the fifth richest per capita in Africa still has so many people living in poverty,” said Boko at the debate.
Among sub-Saharan African nations, Botswana actually has the fourth-highest GDP per capita, according to World Bank data.
In order to raise social subsidies and more than double the minimum wage, Boko has promised to cut back on unnecessary spending.
Although the BDP’s popularity has been waning, it still holds a sizable majority in parliament after winning 38 of the 57 seats up for grabs in 2019. UDC took home 15 seats. In Botswana, the president is chosen by legislators, who are chosen by voters.
