UDC NEC meeting highly-charged
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday May 24, 2022 06:16
It is alleged that leading to the weekend National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Palapye both the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) and Botswana National Front (BNF) had caucused and agreed that the BCP should be expelled from the coalition. The weekend meeting was no way near being cordial according to insiders.
At the meeting, the BCP was represented by its president Dumelang Saleshando, secretary-general (SG) Dr Goretetse Kekgonegile, treasurer Oral Mosedame and Tshimologo Dingake. The Botswana National Front (BNF) was represented by its president (and UDC president) Duma Boko, Dibeela, secretary-general as well UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa and spokesperson Justin Hunyepa. The Botswana People’s Party (BPP) was led by its president Motlatsi Molapise. He was accompanied by BPP national chairperson Phillip Bulawa, treasurer Maxwell Habana, and secretary Nono Kgafela Mokoka.
Insiders told The Monitor that the tone of the BNF and the BPP at the meeting was that the BCP should be expelled from the UDC. At the meeting the BNF and BPP allegedly accused BCP of tarnishing the image of the UDC. In recent weeks the BCP has spoken openly about its frustrations in relation to poor governance in the UDC. The BCP also believes that the BCP is not a democratic set up.
Reading the room (that the BCP be expelled), Dibeela immediately took control and extensively warned that should the BCP be expelled from the UDC the move would most likely leave all opposition parties in a very precarious position leading to the 2024 General Election. He added that Batswana long for a united opposition and therefore it would be unwise to expel the BCP as that would frustrate the nation. In fact, it is alleged that Dibeela was calculatingly not made part of the BNF caucus that discussed a move to expel the BCP from the coalition as he is perceived to be a BCP sympathizer.
High-ranking sources also allege that moments after Dibeela’s address a proposal was brought to the table that the BCP should apologize for publicly speaking against the UDC and its leader Boko. However, insiders say Dibeela who appeared independent at the meeting posited that the reason why the BCP might have been speaking out of turn is because the party has grown frustrated by poor governance within the coalition.
The BNF VP also reportedly scolded the BCP for intensively speaking against the coalition in public. He was adamant that some of the challenges faced by the UDC could not have been made public.
“Instead of demanding an apology Dibeela called on the UDC to establish strong conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure that differences among partners are effectively resolved,” said an insider at the meeting.
In a press conference held after the NEC meeting, Mohwasa told the media that the NEC has resolved that the BCP should retract its recent public utterances against the UDC. He said that such statements where damaging to the coalition movement.
At the NEC gathering, Saleshando was reportedly infuriated by calls for the BCP to apologize to the UDC.
“He was blunt that the BCP is not going to apologize for anything and maintained that Boko’s administration is riddled with poor governance. He also maintained his usual stance that the BCP will bolt out of the coalition if governance issues are not urgently resolved,” an insider said. The BCP leader is said to have unequivocally told Molapise and Boko that the BCP will not be silenced.
Sources say that Saleshando’s failure to attend the press conference is evidence that the BCP was not in approval of the decisions that were made at the meeting. Only a delegation from the BNF and BPP made it to the press conference, a development which many say signalled that divisions within the coalition are deepening. Mohwasa did not offer a concrete explanation as to why a delegation from BCP did to attend the press conference.
Boko’s sudden decision to delegate press conference duties to Mohwasa also raised eyebrows. Minutes before the press conference the UDC president appeared very jovial but Mohwasa said he had voice projection problems and as such would not address the media.
There is a swelling opinion that Boko was reluctant to address the media in the absence of Saleshando as this would have been a clear indication that cracks in the UDC are widening.
Dibeela refused to discuss reports that he prevented the BCP from being expelled from the UDC. On the other hand, Saleshando said that the BCP will release a statement after briefing its central committee and executive about the outcomes of the weekend UDC NEC meeting.
Mohwasa would also not be drawn into discussing allegations that the BPP and BNF wanted the BCP to be expelled from the UDC.
“Like we have said, we want to focus on what builds our brand than engage in gossip, hearsay, and negative commentary. We are focused on building a united and strong UDC,” he said.
Meanwhile, insiders allege that on Saturday BCP members tried hard to push for the UDC NEC (meeting) to discuss governance issues but failed as they were outnumbered.
One of the key items that were on the agenda for the NEC meeting were calls for a special congress by the BCP. The matter was however not discussed owing to time constraints. The BCP wants a special congress to be held to pave way for an elective congress for the UDC. This is against the wishes of the other parties.