Botswana Votes As Former President Khama Ditch BDP For Opposition Coalition

Riyaz Patel

Voting is underway in Botswana as the long-peaceful southern African nation faces what is expected to be its tightest election in history.

The ruling party and President Mokgweetsi Masisi have been presented with a surprising challenge after former President Ian Khama broke away and announced his support for an opposition coalition instead.

Khama hand-picked Masisi as his successor when he stepped down last year following two terms in office in the diamond-rich country.

But Masisi then moved away from some of Khama’s policies, including by loosening restrictions on elephant hunting to appeal to rural voters.

Opposition leaders say their coalition could unseat the ruling party for the first time since independence in 1966.

Khama has openly supported the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change and its presidential candidate, human rights lawyer Duma Boko.

The election could hinge on