Southern Africa elections brought big changes in 2024

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — In Southern Africa, where democracy remains relatively stable, elections held in 2024 saw long-governing liberation parties struggling to survive. Across Africa, power struggles involving military governments, coup attempts and armed conflict are common, but...

Namibia votes and could have its first female leader. But election upsets have shaken the region

WINDHOEK, Namibia (AP) — A woman who joined Namibia's underground independence movement in the 1970s is a strong contender to become its first female leader as the country voted Wednesday in a presidential election. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is the current vice president and the...

The 'super year' of elections has been super bad for incumbents as voters punish them in droves

BANGKOK (AP) — Whether on the left or the right, regardless of how long they’ve been in power, sitting governments around the world have been drubbed this year by disgruntled voters in what has been called the “super year” for elections. Donald Trump's victory in the U.S....

Thousands turn out for inauguration of Botswana's new president, who calls for unity

GABORONE, Botswana. (AP) — Thousands of people from around Botswana attended the inauguration Friday of their country's new president, Duma Boko, who called for unity after an election that brought an end to the former ruling party's 58 years in power. His Umbrella for Democratic...

Seismic change in Botswana as party that ruled for 58 years loses power

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — The party of Botswana's opposition candidate Duma Boko was declared the election winner Friday over incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi in a seismic change that ended the ruling party’s 58 years in power since independence from Britain. Masisi conceded...

Botswana's president concedes defeat in election to end his party's 58 years in power

Botswana holds an election where the diamond trade has become a central issue

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — Botswana held a national election on Wednesday to decide if one of Africa's longest-ruling parties stays in power for another five-year term. The Botswana Democratic Party has governed the southern African nation for 58 years, since independence from...

Polls open in an election in Botswana, where the governing party has been in power since 1966

Diamond-rich Botswana holds an election with new economic challenges for a long-ruling party

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — Botswana votes in a national election this week that will decide if the ruling party extends a 58-year stretch in power in a southern African country that is a leading diamond producer and often held up as one of the most stable and least corrupt democracies on the...