One party ruled Botswana for nearly six decades until opposition leader Duma Boko won the presidency. His swearing-in and the nation's peaceful and democratic power transfer have garnered little international attention. What explains this muted response to Africa’s most peaceful transition of power?
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00:00Botswana's peaceful transition of power from outgoing President Mugwetse Masisi to opposition
00:05leader Duma Boko is a rare example of a smooth democratic handover. This orderly transition
00:11contrasts with the military takeovers that have swept West Africa and the contentious
00:16electoral processes elsewhere around the world that tend to dominate global headlines.
00:21Some local observers argue that international media gravitates towards crisis and conflict.
00:27Many analysts say there are many reasons why Botswana's peaceful transfer of power is not
00:31featuring prominently in global discourse. Botswana has a long-standing reputation for
00:37political stability and good governance. This means democratic processes, however historic,
00:43are considered business as usual. The country's population is also a factor.
00:48With just 2.6 million people and 1 million registered voters, Botswana's electoral process
00:55is manageable. Its parliamentary system, where voters elect representatives who in turn select
01:00the president, further streamlines the process. Botswana's local media and citizens have focused
01:07on more pressing societal issues like a 27% unemployment rate, growing inequality,
01:14and a struggling diamond-dependent economy that President Duma Boko is expected to address.