Let's all work towards cooperation

| Monday December 6, 2010 00:00

 

This resolution is important in a number of ways amongst them being; the fact that it was made by the supreme organ in the party and therefore enjoys authority and legitimacy.  Secondly, it endorses the long held commitment of the party to opposition cooperation.

This, therefore, obliges all party members to strive towards this noble goal of working closely with other opposition parties.  It is the deep conviction and belief in opposition cooperation, which made the party invite other opposition parties to its July 2010 Mochudi Congress, which made this resolution.

The other opposition parties have also reciprocated by inviting us to some of their functions.  This, therefore, shows that the environment is ripe for Cooperation Talks.  In fact, our leadership and the leadership of other parties have been meeting on regular basis to lay a solid foundation for fruitful 'Talks'.  It has taken great effort from all to reach this stage and we need to congratulate the Leadership and members of opposition parties for having brought about this atmosphere.  There is no doubt that the time for change is nigh!

As the BNF we would like to request our members not to attack other opposition parties nor make inflammatory remarks about them.  We should not forget that the raison de tat of the opposition is not just to oppose, but also to unseat the ruling conservative Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).  The BNF would like it to be known that it will distance itself from any derogatory and maligning remarks that can be made by anyone of its members directed at other opposition parties. That member will not only be standing on the way for change, but will also be defiant of the party resolution.

We cannot as a party that is serious and committed regarding Cooperation Talks insult the very people that we want to negotiate with.  Even where our members feel provoked, they should leave that to the leadership of the parties.  Where members feel aggrieved, they should take up their concerns with the leadership.  It is the party leadership that will raise the concerns with the relevant party as we have full confidence in the other opposition parties' commitment to the Talks.  As BNF members we should be exemplary and practise the principle of Democratic Centralism, a principle that guides how decisions are arrived at and how we should relate with them.

Therefore, since the Congress has spoken, we have to carry out its decision fully without reservation.  The statements that we make should be geared towards bringing us closer to one another rather than divide us further.

Lastly, we would like to state that any decision coming out of the Opposition Talks will be communicated by the negotiators through joint communiques.  No one is allowed to issue or utter any statements regarding the details of the Talks.  Obviously the party will consult the members on any issues that need their input during the Talks. 

This will help aid this project, which we all wish could succeed.

Moeti MohwasaInformation and Publicity Secretary