UDC ancillary organs resolutions never revisited
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday September 19, 2022 06:00
Mohwasa told Mmegi that the coalition was reconfigured following the conclusion of talks that took place under the transition clause and paved the way for the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) to be welcomed into the coalition.
He said the National Executive Committee (NEC) was reduced to four representatives from each party. Mohwasa added that the emphasis was also put on acknowledging that the UDC was not a unitary party.
The UDC spokesperson further stated that the mobilisation of the Youth and the Women's Leagues respectively has been entirely left to affiliate parties. “This has been the case since, which is now over five years ago,” said Mohwasa.
Asked if they have re-considered the resolution of the two bodies since the last time, he responded that the resolution regarding both leagues has never been revisited. Mohwasa also elaborated that the task of the ancillary organs such as the Women and Youth Leagues is entirely left to affiliates who happen to be unitary parties and are doing that quite well.
The UDC once endorsed the establishment of the ancillary organs during a special congress but has never functioned. The special congress was held in Serowe eight years ago to prepare for the 2014 General Elections.
After its endorsement, the UDC Women’s League committee consisted of 10 members during its validation and the former UDC member now the Botswana Democratic Party activist Ivory Keekee was elected the president. Additionally, the UDC Women’s League purpose was to give women a special platform to contribute on issues of national interest, play a role in the political space and advocate various forms of women empowerment programmes among others. Phenyo Segokgo was also elected the UDC Youth League president.
The Youth League organ was aimed at supporting the mother coalition party and oversee the interest of young people in the party. Furthermore, the ancillary organs, which have been less functional after endorsement, were made up of members from the Botswana People’s Party (BPP), the Botswana National Front (BNF) and the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) who at the time was a contracting party in the UDC prior to its expulsion.
Before the expulsion of the BMD from the UDC, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) also joined the coalition in preparation of the 2019 General Elections. Currently the UDC is made up of the BPP, the BNF, newly entrant Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and the BCP, which is yet to make an announcement on whether to remain within the coalition party or exit following political fallout.