Boko’s tumultuous journey
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday November 12, 2024 06:00
As the current leader of both the UDC and the Botswana National Front (BNF), Boko's journey has been marked by legal battles and internal resistance from segments of his party. Boko became the BNF president after his predecessor, Otsweletse Moupo, left the position due to personal issues. At that time, the BNF was already dealing with leadership crisis. Boko sought to rejuvenate the party, shifting its traditional image of struggle to one that would later appeal to younger generations. This included replacing the austere traditions of cooking and eating samp at congresses with modern catering and a more appealing atmosphere.
Recognising the need for collaboration, Boko emphasised the importance of working with other opposition parties, a stance supported by the BNF constitution. Consequently, in a resolution passed at the Mochudi Congress, Boko was granted the authority to negotiate alliances with other opposition groups. This led to a landmark alliance in 2014 when the BNF joined forces with the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and the Botswana People's Party (BPP) to form the UDC. The UDC’s energetic campaign that year, featuring presidential and vice-presidential buses and branded merchandise, marked a new level of competitiveness for the opposition and posed a significant challenge to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The UDC’s success in winning 17 parliamentary seats and 116 council seats was celebrated widely, but some within the BNF were discontented, feeling that their party had gained fewer seats compared to others. These tensions simmered, with some members voicing concerns that Boko was prioritising the UDC over the BNF. From 2015-2017, Boko's leadership faced additional obstacles as he mediated conflicts within the BMD. These disputes ultimately led to a split in 2017, with the formation of the Alliance for Progressives (AP), an outcome that some blamed on Boko's decisions. This schism affected the UDC’s cohesion heading into the 2019 elections, even as the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) joined the alliance.
The UDC still managed to secure 15 parliamentary seats, but internal divisions remained challenging. But Boko managed to calm things down and get ‘his house’ in order. The BNF started to look like a party re-energised and ready to challenge for power under his leadership. The feat was achieved without prominent opposition in the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), which had pulled out of the coalition before the elections and went solo. However, after the BCP joined the coalition going into the 2019 General Election, there were higher expectations for electoral success. Boko had to deliver victory. He managed to mount a successful campaign for the opposition, at times going pound for pound with the mega-rich Botswana Democratic Change (BDP). The UDC failed to take power from the BDP while Boko lost his parliamentary seat to BDP’s Annah Mokgethi.
The UDC’s performance was so bad that the coalition lost all the Gaborone constituencies to the ruling party. Questions started to be thrown around as to whether Boko was fit to lead the coalition. Others called for him to resign while some suggested an elective congress. While all this happened, Boko has been quiet, perhaps still pondering on his next move. When he resurfaced, the UDC was not shy to wield the axe and show that despite all that has happened, he is still the man in charge. Following his loss in the 2019 general elections, internal efforts within the Botswana National Front (BNF) have been quietly underway to identify a potential successor to Boko for the 2029 elections.
The media, too, has increasingly criticised Boko, suggesting it may be time for new leadership in the UDC. One issue frequently raised was that former UDC vice president, Dumelang Saleshando, had long called for an elective congress, where party members could democratically choose their leader. Boko's reluctance to hold such a congress was a significant factor in the BCP eventually withdrawing from the UDC. Additionally, there have been complaints that Boko avoids consultation, leading to further dissatisfaction within his party. In response to some of this pressure, Boko had once requested a temporary break from party leadership responsibilities, an arrangement agreed upon at a recent BNF conference held at the Ledumang Senior Secondary School. However, in the 2019 campaign, the UDC changed its approach by rekindling its partnership with the AP. Although the campaign began slowly, it gained significant traction just three weeks before the elections, ultimately leading to a strong performance.
Notably, Boko’s campaigns since 2014 have been driven largely by university students, a trend now popularly dubbed 'Puso ya ma2000,' reflecting the active role of the younger generation in his support base.