Botswana president concedes defeat in election after party's six-decade rule

Botswana's president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, conceded defeat after preliminary results indicated his party lost its parliamentary majority, marking an end to six decades of power.

He stated, 'Although I wanted to stay on as your president, I respect the will of the people and I congratulate the president-elect. I will step aside and I will support the new administration.'

With only one seat in the 36 counted thus far, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) faced a crushing blow as the opposition coalition led by Duma Boko secured 25.

This election's results show a significant political shift, as the BDP, which has been in power since Botswana's independence in 1966, is no longer the majority party.

Read at www.theguardian.com