Bophirima debacle threatens opposition unity
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday March 22, 2022 06:00
The Alliance for Progressives (AP) has made it clear that it supports the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), while the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) and Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) have shown their support to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
Even on the ground at Bophirima ward, The Monitor observed that when the members are doing house-to-house campaigning for votes from the residents of that ward, members put on their different party colours. Therefore, the situation is indicative of the automatic collapse in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the by-elections. A letter dated March 19, 2022, written by AP deputy secretary-general, Edison Wotho reads: “Taking into cognisance our principles and deeply held values, inter alia integrity, fairness and democratic process, we yielded in favour of the BCP despite the fact of the strength of our potential candidate. We knew and understood that once we had withdrawn, the final decision was a matter of the internal process of the UDC, of which we are not a part and cannot impose our wish.
Unfortunately, such a process, if there was any, failed to reach an agreement on a single candidate, resulting in two candidates. This is not ideal and is regrettable. However, we should all remember and appreciate that democracy is rarely perfect, and in those instances where its imperfection rears its head, we still shoulder the responsibility to participate in the democratic process for the betterment of our country.” He said in this spirit, and consistent with their values, the AP affirms its commitment to yield in favour of the BCP.
In addition, he said they are confident that those among their activists who will work in support of BCP aspirant candidate Peter Mogapi do so with a genuine belief that is but part of a broader journey to bring about credible leadership towards a new Botswana in 2024.
The UDC candidate is Mankie Sekete. The BPF had on March 11 made a statement through its publicity secretary Lawrence Ookeditse that the party will support the candidate mandated by the UDC to represent it regardless of their party affiliation. “It is our policy to not interfere in the internal affairs of fellow contracting parties and this extends to the UDC in this instance,” the press release reads. Meanwhile, what is happening at the Bophirima ward by-election is also happening at the University of Botswana's Student Representative Committee elections as the BPF aligns with UDC, while the BCP has joined forces with AP. On another matter, the AP's 2019 candidate Malema Phaladi resigned from his party on March 17.