Reuters
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Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat on Friday after preliminary results showed his party lost its parliamentary majority by a landslide in this week's election, ending nearly six decades in power.

With more than half of the constituencies reporting, the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had a significant lead, putting its leader, lawyer Duma Boko, on track to win the presidency.

Analysts said rising socio-economic grievances, particularly among young people, were the downfall of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed the small South African nation since independence from Britain in 1966.

Botswana's income was largely dependent on its diamonds, but a decline in the global diamond market led to a slump in economic growth this year while unemployment rose to 28%.

State television showed that based on results from 41 of the 61 constituencies up for grabs, the UDC had won 26 seats in parliament, while the BDP had only three seats. The representatives elect the president.

Boko, who has not yet spoken publicly since the result, campaigned on issues such as raising the minimum wage and increasing social benefits.

“Although I wanted to remain your president, I respect the will of the people and congratulate the president-elect. I will resign and support the new government,” Masisi told a news conference.

There was calm in the capital Gaborone on Friday morning, with small groups of opposition supporters celebrating in the streets.

“I never thought I would experience this change in my life,” said 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi. “The BDP has been in power for too long and I am proud to be one of the people who unseated them for a better Botswana.”

The BDP became the second long-standing ruling party in southern Africa to suffer an electoral defeat this year, after South Africa's African National Congress also lost its parliamentary majority after 30 years in power and was forced to form a coalition government.

In neighboring Namibia, elections are taking place later this month in which the SWAPO party, which has been in power since 1990, is also likely to face a major challenge.

“The Botswana election result should serve as a warning to long-standing ruling parties across southern Africa, and beyond that, political dominance will falter without economic progress and job opportunities,” said Zaynab Hoosen, Africa analyst at Pangea-Risk.