Botswana's new government may face familiar challenges

Significance The BDP had governed the country since independence in 1966 and had won twelve successive elections. Now, the party will not even be the official opposition in parliament, after falling to fourth place in the elections. Impacts The smooth transfer of power will consolidate Botswana's reputation as the region's most stable and peaceful democracy. Economic diversification away from diamond mining presents an urgent and difficult challenge for the new government. Although the new government is a coalition, the two parties at its centre have worked together for a decade and will collaborate well. The UDC had collaborated with other parties while all were in opposition; now, political dynamics will likely lean towards competition.