Botswana’s new president has been in the political space long before he ascended into the highest office in the land. His influence is well-documented in the legal industry, and his fight for human rights is something many found appealing. After his historic election victory in 2024, this article answers the question: “Who is Duma Boko?
Who is Duma Boko?
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Duma Boko, whose full name is Duma Gideon Boko, was born on 31 December 1967 in Mahalapye, Eastern Botswana. He has a sister named Emma Boko. A lot of details about his upbringing remain limited publicly, but Duma Boko was raised in a family that valued education. Regarding his education, he studied law at the University of Botswana, where he served on the Student Representative Council. Afterwards, Boko did his Masters Degree at Havard Law School.
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Career Growth
Duma Boko’s career began as a lecturer at the University of Botswana in 1993. At the same time, he ran a law firm and wrote a column in a local newspaper, The Monitor. Through his law firm, Boko focused on human rights and public interest litigation. Additionally, he served two terms as the chair of the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS.
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Transition to Politics
Boko was part of the Botswana National Front (BNF) from a young age. In 2003, he joined some former BNF party members and formed another political outfit. However, in 2010, Boko returned to the BNF. His attempt to vie for presidency through the party failed due to not meeting the party’s requirements. However, this stand was retracted, forcing some members to file a lawsuit challenging his desire to become the party’s president. These members lost the suit and Boko became BNF president.
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First Presidential Bid
In 2014, Boko vied for the presidency under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), a coalition between BNF, the Botswana Movement for Democracy, and the Botswana Peoples Party. However, he failed in his quest but received the highest number of parliament seats after the ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Consequently, UDC became the official opposition party and Boko was the head.
In the next general election in 2019, Duma Boko was the party’s flagbearer. He lost again but remained the official opposition party. He challenged the results, citing voting irregularities, but his accusations failed to stand before the court due to lack of evidence.
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On his third attempt at the presidency, Duma Boko won the majority seats in the National Assembly, securing his first presidential term. He was sworn into office on November 1, marking the first time since 1996 that a former opposition leader ascended to the position.
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Duma Boko’s Pledges
Boko promised to diversify Botswana’s economy by considering industries such as medical cannabis, solar energy, information technology, and manufacturing.
He also promised to legalize undocumented Zimbabweans by giving them temporary residence and work permits.
Final Thoughts
Duma Boko stands out as a pivotal figure in Botswana’s political landscape, blending his legal expertise with a passion for leadership and social justice. His journey from an academic background to becoming the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) reflects his commitment to challenging the status quo and advocating for democratic reforms. As Botswana continues to evolve politically, Boko’s influence remains significant, marking him as a key voice in shaping the country’s future.
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