President Ian Khama was sworn in for a second term as leader of Botswana on October 28 after the ruling Botswana Democratic Party retained its Parliamentary majority in elections last week.
Final results are in and the BDP took 37 seats of the 57 legislative seats. It was the most closely contested election there in years, with three parties contesting constituencies in one of the most stable and democratic nations on a continent often roiled by conflict and government corruption.
The United States congratulate the people of Botswana who turned out in overwhelming numbers in their successful national parliamentary elections. International observers have declared the election free, fair, and transparent, the eleventh such ballot since independence in 1966. With more than a dozen elections in nations around Africa in the coming months, Botswana has set a worthy example in democratic governance.
The United States and Botswana enjoy a close friendship based on our shared belief in democracy and the rule of law. We look forward to deepening our relationship with the Botswana people and to continue working closely with the government.