UDC: From umbrella model to merger
Staff Writer | Friday February 23, 2018 16:00
It is for this reason that there are some within the coalition who are willing to bite the bullet and lobby for fundamental change of approach to ensure a lasting solution to the current conflict ridden arrangement.
They will be calling for the UDC to take a bold step and deliver a truly united opposition in the form of a merger of all opposition parties or at the least consider an open contest to allow UDC members unlimited choice of candidates.
“This is the time to show leadership. Mistrust, perceived political sabotage, unnecessary competition could be things of the past under a united UDC,” a prominent UDC insider told Mmegi.
He said apart from dealing with the elephant in the room, a merger would restore public confidence in the national project and ensure a stable governmen come 2019.
“It will also ensure that there is undivided attention amongst the leaders. Currently, the Leader of the UDC is also doubling up as the Botswana National Front (BNF) leader, a huge responsibility.”
Another school of thought is that in the event that Alliance for Progressives (AP) decide to join UDC, there will not be worries about which constituencies to allocate to them since the party will stand dissolved upon joining like other parties.
Those who are willing to contest elections will be free to express their interest and enter the race.
“A truly united opposition will allow resources to be pooled since there could be one head office that is well staffed and well equipped. Currently, the different partners are struggling to operate four offices instead of one,” another insider buttressed.
He submitted that more importantly a merger would simplify resource mobilisation. Under the current arrangement, the different partners will be going to the same potential donors to solicit funds for their campaigns.
“As for the UDC treasurer who is also the national treasurer of Botswana Congress Party (BCP), the circumstances will be more challenging. Imagine going around with two hats asking for donations, one for UDC and the other for BCP. It is a practical impossibility.”
The proponents of the merger are of the view that such a huge undertaking will have to be championed by the BNF since it is consistent with the concept of a united front.
“Besides, UDC has embraced the core values of both the BNF and the BCP. As for the Botswana Peoples Party (BPP), merger has always been their preferred model of cooperation.”
Constituencies
Already some BNF and BCP members have vowed that they would not allow BMD members to contest in areas they do not have structures.
For instance, at Mogoditshane the members (of BCP) want BCP to be the one contesting for MP seat. The BCP feels strongly about it.
The same situation applies to Gaborone Bonnington South, Gaborone North, Gaborone Central, Lobatse and Moshupa/Manyana. Recently, at their different leadership fora, both BCP and BNF proposed that constituencies that AP members have defected with be re-negotiated.
The members’ contention is that BMD does not have structures and database of their members on the ground.
Wards
The issue of wards has also caused sleepless nights to parties. Recently, the BMD said the issue of incumbency would not work for the members who have defected with their seats to other position parties.
The BMD did not contest most of the wards in 2014, something that is disadvantaging them.
Recently the UDC national executive committee met at Oasis Motel to try to resolve the issue of constituencies and wards, but failed and resolved to carry them to their congress this weekend.
According to a source, some BNF members feel that if the congress does not agree on issues of constituencies, then the matter be referred to their special congress to give the party leadership a new mandate.
“Our party has sacrificed a lot in 2014 and we cannot keep on sacrificing even in 2019. Each party needs to have members on the ground so that the campaigning becomes easier.
Again, we cannot force our members and people to like BMD leader, Sidney Pilane. We cannot lose elections because of one person,” the source said.
However political analyst, Leonard Sesa said time is not on the side of UDC since they have a lot of issues to deal with before some members could even think of merging.
“These parties needed two years to understand each other even as leaders. Already, some leaders do attack one another on Facebook. I doubt if all affiliates of UDC are ready and prepared to work with each other.
Again, carrying forward some problems that UDC leaders failed to resolve at congress would not help because some members might come out divided and peace would not be there if members are not happy. There is already big brother mentality where one feels he knows UDC constitution more than another one,” Sesa said.
According to the programme, some of the issues that would be discussed include UDC policies, UDC constitution, both constituency and ward allocations and governance structure and lastly adoption of resolutions by congress.