GABORONE, Botswana — In a significant political shift, President Mogweetsi Masisi of Botswana acknowledged his defeat in the country’s general elections on Friday. This marked a historic change for Botswana, as the ruling party, which has been in power since its independence in 1966, relinquished control after 58 years.

Masisi’s acknowledgment came even before the final election results were made public, with the Botswana Democratic Party, which he leads, positioned in fourth place in the parliamentary race.

The leading opposition group, known as the Umbrella for Democratic Change, displayed a commanding advantage in the early results, positioning their candidate, Duma Boko, as the likely contender for the presidency in this southern African nation. Botswana is notable for being among the top diamond-producing countries in the world.

Following the announcement of his concession, Masisi reached out to Boko to convey his acceptance of the election outcome, signaling a turn toward a new chapter in Botswana’s political landscape.