Khama�s new govt faces serious challenges

Greg Kelebonye | Tuesday October 28, 2014 17:29

 

He will be acutely aware that the most testing time for his government lies ahead: keeping the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) glued together until the next election.

His advisers would also have told him to tread carefully, for it is how he handles himself that will determine the brevity or longevity of his administration.

As it went for elections, the BDP was wrecked by inner bickering and sabotage, as the Moyo Guma camp and BDP old guard tussled for the control of the party.  Now that he has to appoint his government, Khama will find the task most onerous, as he has to tread carefully not to upset his own MPS, and to maintain – or better, strengthen, the fragile unity within the BDP.

His greatest challenge will be whom he appoints his deputy.

Just before the president dissolved Parliament on August 7, the House passed a motion that essentially stripped him –and those after him - of powers to decide who becomes vice president (VP). Under the old system, the President made a nomination, and MPs endorsed his choice by a show of hands.  The new system though, will be by way of secret ballot. In that way any party caucus whose aim is to get MPs to rubber-stamp cabinet or the President’s decisions becomes a moot issue.  It has been reported Khama is unhappy with the amendment and may approach the courts in a bid to reverse the decision.

“The fact that Parliament has now changed the rules of the game, and that he is reported to be trying to get the courts to reverse Parliament’s decision shows that even before his new government can start work, there are already squabbles. It is clear the BDP is not starting on a clean slate,” says political analyst Dr David Sebudubudu.

What makes Khama’s task of appointing a deputy tricky is the fact that, whoever becomes his vice president, will succeed him as president when his term ends in 2018. Khama will need someone he can trust all the way.  There have been suggestions he may want someone who would be willing to make way for his cousin Ndelu Seretse just before his [Khama’s] term ends in 2018.  Analyst Zibani Maundeni, however, argues that would be dangerous, as the President will need someone who will deputise him until the day he leaves office.

“He needs to appoint a substantive vice president. He cannot afford to do what he did with (Mompati) Merafhe and (Ponatshego) Kedikilwe as whoever comes will need to study and learn the party. Anybody who comes late as VP will not have that time,” he says.

The tricky part with the appointment of the VP is that Parliament may refuse to endorse Khama’s choice. That places the President in a very difficult position.  The President would be acutely aware that any action that does not resonate well with BDP MPs would likely alienate his MPs. The best option, says Sebudubudu, is to allow Parliament to decide who becomes his deputy.

“He should allow Parliament to do it for him, especially given the fact any wrong appointment will polarise the party further.

He will have to respect the will of Parliament. If he is confrontational he won’t last his term as president,” posits Sebudubudu.

But is easier said than done. The Guma Moyo camp was at one point reported to be lining itself up for the vice presidency and other key positions in cabinet, and Khama may not have a choice but to dance to its tune.

“It looks like Khama has somebody in mind – although it is not clear yet who it is. Suffice to say, the reason why key cabinet ministers lost their constituencies is not altogether due to the strength of the opposition, but due to the shenanigans of the other camp. The group was positioning itself for government and it still wants the VP position,” says Maundeni.

Either way Khama will find it difficult to appease everyone and he may be inclined to take his usual hard stance, which, according to Maundeni will only polarise the BDP further.

“He will need tosoften down. He will need to consult BDP MPs and allow them to make decisions, which he will then endorse. If he continues to lead from the top, the BDP will suffer,” he says. Both Maundeni and Sebudubudu agree that further divisions within the BDP may also prevent the BDP from serving its full five-year mandate.

Adding to Khama’s headache is the decision he has to make about who becomes his minister of Finance and Development Planning. 

The person would have to be someone he can trust fully. Will he find one from among the BDP MPs who will be taking the oath of duty on Wednesday.

“Khama needs a minister of Finance urgently. He does not have a suitable candidate from among the BDP MPs, and he may need to look outside,” suggests Sebudubudu.

Once done with the appointment of the Vice President and also that of the minister of Finance and Development Planning, Khama will focus on the rest of BDP MPs to see whom to pick for the various ministries. Again, his choice will not be easy. He will need to make the current crop of BDP MPs happy, and also satisfy societal demands.

“Society expects him to appoint more women, perhaps three or more,” says Sebudubudu.  It is definitely a very fine equilibrium the President will need to stay focused, to keep a party in tatters intact and yet still keep the confidence of the people and his party.