Botswana has sworn-in its fifth president, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
The 55-year-old took the oath of office before the country’s national assembly in the presence of the Chief Justice, the Speaker of Parliament and his immediate predecessor, Seretse Khama Ian Khama.
The southern African country is widely reputed across the world as one of Africa’s leaders in democracy. The diamond rich nation is also seen as one with sound economic management despite a seeming over dependency on the natural resource.
Presidents of Botswana are capped to two five-year terms, and the law allows the vice president to automatically fill the post should it become vacant. Masisi’s predecessor, Ian Khama came to power through a similar arrangement where he took over from the country’s third president Festus Mogae in 2008 before polls in 2009.
The National Assembly will elect a new president after elections scheduled for October 2019.
