What the world can learn from Botswana

“I will respectfully step aside," said the man who lost an election, “and participate in a smooth transition process." The speed with which President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat on November 1st was striking—all the more so given that his Botswana Democratic Party had ruled this diamond-rich southern African country for six decades, ever since independence from Britain in 1966. It was a striking contrast with nearby Mozambique, where police have been shooting at anti-government protesters since October 24th, when Frelimo, an equally long-serving ruling party, claimed victory in elections observers say were rigged. Although the diamond wealth has not been stolen, Botswana has struggled to develop the sort of “value-added" industries, such as cutting, polishing and jewellery-making, that would have created jobs. In May the African National Congress, hitherto South Africa’s hegemonic party, lost its parliamentary majority for the first time, requiring it to govern in a coalition.