Maria David
PRESIDENT Nangolo Mbumba has extended warm congratulations to the newly elected President Duma Boko of the Republic of Botswana.
This follows the country’s recent election on Wednesday, which shocked the world as the long-standing Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was voted out of power.
On Friday, the Independent Electoral Commission announced that the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had reached the threshold of 31 seats, enough to form a government.
In its preliminary statement, the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) said that the political and security environment was calm before and after voting.
“I wish to congratulate the President-Elect, Adv. Duma Boko, and the Umbrella for Democratic Change on their well-deserved election to lead the Republic of Botswana following the concluded general elections,” Mbumba said.
He also commended outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi for promptly accepting the will of the people and committing to an orderly and peaceful transition.
Mbumba said that Batswana deserve collective praise for conducting peaceful general elections.
He explained that ties between Namibia and Botswana were forged during the fight for independence, as many Namibians found shelter in Botswana during the wars against German colonialism and Apartheid occupation.
“Today, bilateral relations between Namibia and Botswana are characterized by stronger trade, commercial ties, and people-to-people exchanges,” he added.
As President-Elect Adv. Boko undertakes the important task of forming and steering a new government, Mbumba expressed anticipation for a continued fruitful working relationship and a strengthening of bilateral relations for the shared prosperity of their two nations.