BDP besieged by intra-party feuding
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday January 31, 2022 06:00
The link between the ruling party and government needs no emphasis as it is very important in policy outcome. There is also a thin line separating the ruling party and government leadership, with the latter in most cases, possessing influence on the government. As such, the affairs and functions of the ruling party are crucial to shaping the policies that government would adopt. This means that in the event that the ruling party finds itself besieged by intra-party fighting, especially when the disputes are allowed to manifest into something more sinister, they could affect policy making at national level. Factionalism has never achieved anything productive.
Just like the African proverb that says, 'When the elephants fight, the grass gets trampled’, the BDP factions would have an impact on how the party conducts government business. When powerful forces go to war, it's their people who get hurt. In such cases, those who never asked for the conflict in the first place are caught, and killed, in the crossfire.
For instance, the alleged fallout between BDP secretary-general Mpho Balopi and President Mokgweetsi Masisi has not led to the resignation of one of the administration’s senior Cabinet member, but it has also claimed the scalp of other local government representatives. Some BDP councillors, who were allegedly Balopi’s allies were suspended by the party for supporting their leader. Another example is when the BDP leadership came under fire from some of its councillors who accused the party of corruption and expressed worry about the way things are run. All this has pitted the ruling party leadership, which is at the helm of government, against their juniors at council level. At the time, observers commented on the matter that the war between the councillors and the party leadership could affect service delivery, which is true. Intra-party divisions certainly have the potential to cause parties to lose votes. An example is how the BDP performed during the recently held local government by-elections.
Out of 11 wards, which they contested for, the party won just three. All this may not mean anything, but it is a reflection of how matters within an organisation can suddenly affect the bigger institution. When party private disagreements are made public, they end up damaging a party’s efforts to tackle a pressing policy issue or crisis, for example.
Then the party is more likely to fail to field candidates that are capable to move the country in Cabinet positions. Political analyst Adam Mfundisi agrees that indeed there is a direct link between the functions of the ruling party and that of government.
The University of Botswana lecturer in politics and administrative studies said when responding to Mmegi that any intra-party conflict affects the proper functioning and performance of a political party. “The impact of the instability within the party might/may spread to the rank and file of the outfit thereby creating frictions throughout the organiSation. This also, if unattended to may spread to the national level including the National Executive Committee and the governing structures such as Cabinet,” said Mfundisi. Mfundisi also said what is currently happening in the BDP is a prelude to a national disaster where there will be disharmony between the party and the government.
For instance, he said if Balopi manages to wrestle the party from the claws of the President, the environment would be set for major confrontation within the ruling regime. He explained that on the look of things, the centre is already in tatters due to conflict between Balopi and Masisi, something that has polarised BDP politics. “The Cabinet is divided, and the President is unable to reign in this decision-making body. In the midst of all these uncertainties and instabilities, service delivery has negatively affected the efficiency and effectiveness is contingent on team work by all public officials. Mistrust amongst BDP political elite affects good governance in the country,” he added.
Mfundisi is of the view that an environment of fear is tearing apart the collective efforts of government structures, institutions, personnel, and processes. He explained that as it is, political narcissism is dominating the political space with serious consequences for the future of this country. Politicians are pursuing personal interests at the behest of national unity and progress. Mfundisi further said the infighting within the BDP has divided not only the Cabinet but also the government machinery thereby incapacitating the effectiveness of government to the detriment of the masses. Furthermore, he said the infighting within the political elite has been exported to government institutions and operatives. He indicated that the DIS and other law enforcement agencies are at each other's throats in pursuance of their political handlers’ interests not national interests.
According to the UB lecturer, the BDP currently lacks strategic leadership at its helm and is also devoid of vision and strategies to steer the nation to higher socio-economic and political development. He said the ruling party lacks political skill, organisational capacity, and emotional intelligence to navigate the dynamic and complex environment besetting this country.
To put doubt to the argument that intra-party problems could affect governance at national level, one has to also look at the recently announced Cabinet reshuffle. There is a debate about the lack of capability of some of the members who have been given ministerial portfolios. But this is as a result of the infighting within the ruling BDP, where deserving candidates were sacrificed to settle scores at party level.