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

Botswana Democratic Party President Mokgweetsi Masisi speaks to journalists after casting his vote (Themba Hadebe/AP)

The party of Botswana’s opposition candidate Duma Boko was declared the winner of the general election on Friday over incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi in a seismic change that ended the ruling party’s 58 years in power since independence from Britain.

Mr Masisi conceded defeat even before the final results were announced, with his Botswana Democratic Party trailing in fourth place in the parliamentary elections in what appeared to be a humbling rejection by voters and a landslide victory for the main opposition party.