Guma’s UDC membership in doubt
Chakalisa Dube | Monday April 3, 2023 06:00
Last week, Guma quit the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) citing his poor relationship with the party patron, former president Ian Khama as the main source of his resignation.
He then said that he would remain a UDC member. The BPF joined the UDC late last year but the decision is subject to ratification by the party congress. Guma labelled Khama a manipulative and divisive character.
He also accused Khama of peddling a ‘wrong and false narrative that he (Guma) has been bought to destroy the BPF by President Mokgweetsi Masisi’. However, various sources in the UDC have told Mmegi that Guma is not yet a member of the coalition. Sources have told Mmegi that Guma will have to apply formally to join the UDC.
And Mmegi is informed that Guma is yet to apply for UDC membership. Guma declined to comment when asked if he has already applied for the UDC membership.
“I will not give you an interview. Please proceed with your article,” was Guma’s written response from an enquiry by Mmegi. Even the UDC has not shed light on Guma’s status in the party. “We would not comment on the Guma matter and any other issue that relates to the challenges currently facing BPF. It will be prudent not to comment and allow things to settle,” said the UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa when asked if Guma is a member of the UDC. Meanwhile, political analyst and political science lecture at the University of Botswana (UB)Adam Mfundisi has weighed on Guma’s recent decision to quit the BPF and ‘remain with the UDC’. He believes that if at all Guma is admitted directly into the UDC, the move might result in tension between the coalition and the BPF. The UB academic also believes that political ‘nomads’ like Guma, particularly those who move from one opposition party to another are denting opposition politics. Before joining the BPF, Guma was with the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and he had previously been with the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD). “They (those who move from one opposition party to another) make opposition unity too difficult to attain. They pollute the political environment and contribute to instability in opposition politics.
He (Guma) might make it hard for envisaged negotiations on the entry of the BPF in the UDC because the two have a working relationship. His move might spell disaster for the UDC if not handled judiciously,” Mfundisi said. There are those in the UDC and the BPF who believe that the former Tati East legislator is not being rationale by choosing the UDC which is exploring working with the BPF. The main argument is that he is still going to work with the BPF associates he is running away from whilst at the UDC (should a BPF congress endorse a proposal to join UDC). Mfundisi partly agrees with those who assume that Guma’s decision to quit the BPF for the UDC might be out of opportunism and devoid of principle. “He may indeed have had disagreements with Khama on the BPF on some matters but he might be preempting Khama’s takeover of the BPF presidency. It was apparent he had political ambition to lead the BPF. He has no chance to ascend to the presidency,” Mfundisi said. Khama is pushing for the BPF presidency and there is a feeling that he might win if at all the party goes for an elective congress.
There is currently a debate as to whether the party should go for a congress next month or it should be held after the general elections. Mfundisi added: “Guma might have seen an opportunity in UDC to stand for political office. He has the financial capacity to fund his campaigns and get a ticket within the UDC than within the BPF. He is a master politician having been with numerous political parties.”