Boko wants AP inside the Umbrella
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday December 14, 2018 13:14
In a letter dated December 10, 2018, Boko requests for a meeting with AP leader, Ndaba Gaolathe “on such terms and on timelines that will be mutually agreed, to outline any thoughts and ideas in the regards set out herein and to chart the way forward”. Boko tells AP leadership that, “As you no doubt recall, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, UDC, an initiative in which you played an important role, was established to pursue the objective of uniting all opposition parties in Botswana and ensuring that all general elections are contested by that united opposition against the Botswana Democratic Party. It was also a cardinal principle of such united opposition to establish certain bright lines to underpin a new government post the removal of the Botswana Democratic Party from power”.
The UDC leader, who is also the president of the Botswana National Front stated that the ideal of united opposition could not be more critical and urgent in today’s political landscape. He said it remains a major objective, and that despite the many challenges this ideal has faced and continues to face, there is no substitute for it.
“I would like to communicate, on behalf of the UDC, our request to have a meeting with yourselves on such terms and on timelines that will be mutually agreed, to outline any thoughts and ideas in the regards set out herein and chart the way forward,” he writes.
Responding to Mmegi enquiries, the AP secretary general Phenyo Butale said; “I can confirm that we have received the letter. We cannot discuss the contents of that letter and its sensitive communication and internal”.
AP, born after the Botswana Movement for Democracy infighting, has long pronounced that it supports opposition unity and they want talks to be done through original conveners.