GABORONE, — Botswana’s newly elected President, Duma Boko, has appointed Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe as the country’s finance minister, entrusting him with the critical role of steering Botswana through mounting economic difficulties.

The announcement, made during Boko’s first press conference on Monday, marks the initial appointments in his cabinet after his unexpected victory in this month’s general election.

Boko’s win, achieved through the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition, ended nearly 60 years of dominance by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), sending shockwaves through the southern African nation. Analysts attribute Boko’s triumph to rising economic discontent, especially among young voters frustrated by sluggish economic growth, limited job prospects, and inequality.

In his remarks, Boko emphasized the gravity of the economic challenges facing Botswana, particularly with the country’s growth expected to slow to 1% this year, according to recent projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The downturn is primarily linked to decreased diamond production, an industry that has historically been Botswana’s economic backbone.

“We are in a dire economic and financial situation,” Boko said, addressing Gaolathe’s new responsibilities. “He has a huge job in his hands. He has to steer us through these choppy and turbulent waters.”