BCP youth election dispute sparks party division fears
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday June 30, 2025 06:00
While most of the positions were filled without controversy, the race for the Youth League presidency ended in a deadlock. Two frontrunners, June June and Brian Samoka, each received 195 votes, while a third candidate, Bonnie Tlhagwane, trailed with 91. The outcome stunned the delegates and left the youth presidency unresolved. As a result, the announcement of the presidential winner was withheld, pending further deliberation by the party’s Central Committee (CC). The CC is expected to meet early next month.
According to June, the matter should have already been resolved in his favour.
Speaking confidently after the vote, he said: “There was a recount where I emerged victorious, but the results were objected to. The matter has now been taken to the CC, which will make the final determination.”
However, his rival, Samoka, quickly scoffed off the claims. Dismissing the recount narrative altogether, Samoka responded: “There was never a recount. Everything being said is self-created. This issue has been deferred to the CC, and the elections officer is in the best position to clarify.”
That clash in narratives has fuelled confusion and concern amongst party supporters, especially the youth delegates who participated in the congress.
With both candidates standing firm on their positions, the CC now carries the burden of resolving the matter in a way that avoids deepening divisions.
An insider familiar with the situation warned that this dispute might have wider implications beyond just the Youth League.
“The outcome of the Youth League elections will influence the tone and direction of the upcoming BCP mother body elections. If this matter is not handled fairly and transparently, it may trigger unnecessary tension across party structures,” the source revealed.
Already, internal campaigns for top positions in the party’s CC and Executive Committee are heating up.
The pressure is palpable, with various factions intensifying their mobilisation efforts. The energy from the youth election appears to have spilled into the broader party, heightening anxieties amongst the party faithful.
“Campaign fever is running deep even at the grassroots level. And with that comes the risk of further tension,” the insider added.
Historically, such political contests are not unusual. It is often said political energy peaks during election seasons.
However, seasoned observers note that if not well managed, these energetic campaigns can morph into destructive factionalism. This is not the first time the BCP has faced internal strain.
Tensions have been bubbling within the Executive Committee in recent months, particularly around the timing of the party’s elective conference.
A section of the leadership had been pushing for the congress to be held this year, contrary to the party’s constitution, which originally scheduled it for next year.
But according to sources close to the matter, legal advice received by the party indicated that holding the elective congress earlier than expected would not be unconstitutional.
With that green light, the Central Committee made a decisive move. In a resolution passed recently, the CC agreed that the elective congress be brought forward to this year.
It is understood that the CC wants to give the newly elected structures ample time to prepare for the general elections and the party’s internal primaries. However, the decision, though strategic, has also stirred debate within party ranks.
Some members believe that the shift is being driven by political maneuvering, while others see it as a necessary step to strengthen the party ahead of a crucial election cycle.
At the moment, the BCP is the main opposition party in Botswana, and compared to others, it has managed to maintain a degree of internal stability. But that stability now seems to be hanging in the balance as leadership battles intensify.
With tensions rising and factions forming, the handling of the Youth League presidential tie has become more than just a youth matter, but it is now a litmus test for the party’s democratic values and unity. The coming weeks will be critical. The CC’s decision on the Youth League presidency could either restore confidence in the party’s leadership or open the floodgates to deeper divisions.
“We also wish to inform the nation and our members that the elections for the Youth League president have been referred to the CC for final determination. “The party Executive convened today to discuss the matter and has referred it to the CC, which will meet on June 28, 2025 to resolve it and chart the way forward on the BCPYL Presidency Portfolio,” the BCP spokesperson, Mpho Pheko said in a statement.
Furthermore, Pheko congratulated all the winners for their different positions. She said they are grateful to the over 900 young people from across Botswana who participated in shaping a collective way forward for the youth of this nation.
The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is facing a delicate moment following a dramatic tie in the presidential race at its Youth League congress. This incident, it is feared could threaten the party’s internal cohesion if not handled with transparency and fairness, writes Mmegi Staffer TSAONE BASIMANEBOTLHE