Diamond-rich Botswana holds an election with new economic challenges for a long-ruling party

GABORONE, Botswana -- Botswana votes successful a nationalist predetermination this week that will determine if nan ruling statement extends a 58-year agelong successful powerfulness successful a confederate African state that is a starring gem producer and often held up arsenic 1 of nan astir unchangeable and slightest corrupt democracies connected nan continent.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi of nan ruling Botswana Democratic Party, aliases BDP, is seeking a 2nd and last word successful office, though Wednesday's predetermination isn't straight for president. Voters will determine nan constitution of Parliament and lawmakers will later elite nan president.

While nan BDP has dominated Botswanan authorities since independency from Britain successful 1966, this predetermination comes amid caller economical uncertainty for a federation that relies heavy connected gem mining. Botswana is nan 2nd biggest shaper of diamonds down Russia and has been responsible for each nan biggest unsmooth gems recovered successful nan past decade, but it has knowledgeable decreased gross for its diamonds because of a downturn successful demand.

Sales of unsmooth diamonds astatine Debswana, nan institution nan Botswana authorities jointly owns pinch nan De Beers Group and a captious root of authorities revenue, were down astir 50% successful nan first half of 2024, according to authorities. That has put a dent successful nan nationalist purse and raised disapproval of Masisi and nan BDP for not taking steps to diversify nan economy.

Unemployment has risen and stands astatine much than 27%, pinch younker unemployment supra 45%. Government labor person been receiving their salaries precocious arsenic a consequence of nan tight financial position, taking nan radiance disconnected of Botswana's estimation for businesslike authorities and raising fears that austerity measures whitethorn beryllium required.

“It is nan first clip successful much than 4 decades that nan authorities coffers are negative," said guidance leader nan Rev. Prince Dibeela. “There are besides much than 200,000 young group who are employable but cannot find work. We are a very fragmented society.”

The ruling BDP has promised to attraction connected diversifying Botswana's mini economy, which has a GDP of $21 billion. Diamond mining and income relationship for 80% of Botswana’s exports, a 3rd of fiscal gross and a 4th of nan GDP, according to nan International Monetary Fund, which has besides said there's an urgent request for diversification.

“The Botswana Democratic Party stands fresh to service nan group of Botswana pinch promises that resonate profoundly pinch their aspirations," said Lebogang Kwape, nan Deputy Secretary-General of nan BDP and nan existent overseas minister. “We person listened intently to nan voices of each Batswana (people of Botswana) and crafted a manifesto that straight responds to their needs pinch realism and sincerity.”

He said nan BDP would put accent connected processing mineral resources for caller gross streams, while besides building nan agriculture and tourism sectors.

Just complete a cardinal group person registered to vote, according to nan Independent Electoral Commission that runs elections, pinch nan expanding unemployment complaint a cardinal rumor for voters. Botswana is larger than France but has a organization of conscionable 2.5 million, pinch nan Kalahari Desert covering ample portions of nan landlocked state that borders South Africa. Drought and desertification frighten Botswana's improvement and nan livelihoods of galore of its people.

Three men person registered to situation Masisi for president: Duma Boko of nan main guidance Umbrella for Democratic Change party, Dumelang Saleshando of nan Botswana Congress Party and Mephato Reatile from nan Botswana Patriotic Front.

The predetermination will besides revive Masisi's feud pinch erstwhile President Ian Khama, nan man he succeeded arsenic Botswana's leader and past fell retired with.

Khama, nan boy of Botswana's founding president, discontinue nan BDP and went into exile successful South Africa successful 2021, accusing Masisi of taking an authoritarian attack to criticism. Khama was charged pinch forbidden possession of a firearm and receiving stolen spot in a criminal lawsuit he said was politically motivated to soundlessness him.

Khama returned to Botswana successful September to be a tribunal proceeding and has campaigned for nan Botswana Patriotic Front successful an effort to oust Masisi.

The 63-year-old Masisi is simply a erstwhile precocious schoolhouse coach and antecedently worked for nan United Nations Children's Fund. He is conscionable nan 5th president of Botswana since it gained independency from Britain.

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