Chamisa Lauds Botswana’s Peaceful Transition as a Model for Africa

In a show of admiration, former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa praised Botswana’s recent, calm power transition, viewing it as an emblem of political maturity in southern Africa.

Speaking with Botswana Television during the inauguration of Botswana’s new president, Duma Gideon Boko, Chamisa highlighted the regional significance of this democratic milestone. His remarks underscored a striking contrast to Zimbabwe’s electoral landscape, where he claims he twice defeated President Emmerson Mnangagwa, only to be denied victory.

Chamisa pointed to Botswana’s example, where an orderly leadership change unfolded, respecting democratic principles and underscoring the potential for stability through peaceful transitions. He noted that such changes illustrate how leaders can concede gracefully, a practice he hopes Zimbabwean leadership might observe closely.

Referencing Zimbabwe’s political climate, Chamisa voiced his wish that Mnangagwa might take Botswana’s recent events as a constructive cue on peaceful exit strategies post-tenure. Chamisa emphasized that an understanding of life after power, along with the value of an uncontentious transition, could foster national stability.

He went further, affirming his party’s position that they had bested ZANU PF in the past two electoral cycles. However, he alleged that resistance to change has entrenched Mnangagwa’s hold on office, in stark contrast to Botswana’s current political atmosphere.

Botswana’s recent transition, according to Chamisa, resonates beyond its borders. He suggested that Botswana’s Democratic Party (BDP), having held power for 58 years, exemplifies a model of managed change that respects the populace’s desire for political renewal. For Chamisa, this heralds a “new Africa”—a continent where leadership can transition without upheaval or discord.

Chamisa argued for a broader respect for outgoing leaders, suggesting that dignified exits, free from recrimination, could enhance political civility. Such gestures, he implied, pave the way for a legacy of goodwill rather than animosity.

Duma Gideon Boko’s Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) clinched a historic victory over the BDP in Botswana’s recent October elections, ending a longstanding reign and underscoring the power of peaceful democratic processes. Chamisa praised this as a strong regional precedent, an inspiring pivot from continuity to change without compromising stability.

At the inauguration, reports surfaced that ex-Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa encountered a mixed reception, including scattered boos. However, the loudest applause was saved for former Botswana President Ian Khama, underscoring public sentiment in the moment of transition.

Chamisa hopes this wave of democratic respect will inspire leaders across the region, reinforcing a pathway to peaceful change and governance grounded in popular will.

The Zim Bulletin