58-year old Mokgweetsi Masisi sworn in as Botswana president

Mokgweetsi Masisi was on Friday inaugurated as Botswana’s president following the ruling Botswana Democratic Party’s win in last month’s general election.

The 58-year-old took the oath of office at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena in the capital, Gaborone.

The swearing-in was Botswana’s first to be held away from the Parliament building.

I promise I’ll continue to serve, honour & protect you & Botswana with diligence, dignity, faith & humility. To create the Botswana that we all dream of, let’s pack away our individual party regalia, & embrace patriotic partnerships & collaboration that this new beginning offers, President Masisi said.

BDP won the October 23 vote after securing 38 of the 57 seats in the National Assembly, while the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change won 15.

The ruling party has been in power since the southern African country attained its independence in 1966.

Masisi banked on his record on tackling corruption, such as making the declaration of assets obligatory for public sector officials. He is also credited with overseeing a reduction in bureaucracy for small businesses.