UDC Recommends BMD Congress Rerun
Chakalisa Dube | Monday September 18, 2017 18:00
Insiders have told The Monitor that should any of the two warring factions not take the UDC recommendation, the BMD would possibly be suspended from the opposition coalition.
The UDC was mandated to play a mediatory role after the two warring BMD factions held separate elective congresses in Bobonong two months ago. The UDC is expected to deliver the results of the mediation to the BMD factions tomorrow evening.
Each of the two factions elected a National Executive Committee (NEC) during the separate elective congresses that were punctuated by disputes.
Sidney Pilane won the presidency of the other faction, while Ndaba Gaolathe was also elected president by members of his faction. Since the Bobonong events, both factions have been claiming leadership of the party. “I cannot go into specifics, but the UDC has decided that the two rival BMD factions should share power before they call another elective congress.
The congress rerun should be in line with the party (BMD) constitution. We believe that the above recommendations are appropriate and can help the BMD regain its stability,” said a reputable UDC insider. “The ultimate goal of the UDC is to unite the BMD factions. The two factions are vital to the existence of the coalition,” one of the sources added. UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa refused to respond to questions related to the recommendation that will reportedly be made official to the warring BMD factions tomorrow. “It is not ideal for people to be leaking sensitive party information to the press.
Wait for the announcement (on the BMD problems) that will be made by the UDC leadership on Tuesday evening,” Mohwasa said yesterday. It remains to be seen if the two factions will amicably accept recommendations made by the UDC.
Gaolathe’s team has been calling for a fresh elective congress. On the other hand, Pilane and his backers have made it clear that they will not heed calls for a congress rerun insisting that they are the ‘legitimate BMD’ leadership. There are also strong suggestions that Gaolathe’s team will announce the formation of a new party this week. Gaolathe and his supporters have reportedly resolved to forming a new party regardless of the outcomes of mediation efforts by the UDC.
The faction has called a special meeting at Westwood International School at Phase 4 in Gaborone on Wednesday where it is anticipated that the announcement of a new party will be made official.
Yesterday, Phenyo Butale who is the secretary general in Gaotlathe’s faction did not want to share details of the Wednesday meeting.
“Let’s wait for Wednesday,” he said.
A majority of those backing Gaolathe have been relentlessly calling for a new party that will go at it alone at the 2019 general elections. They believe their relationship with those who are on Pilane’s side is irretrievably broken.