Masire acts to stem BDP standoff

| Friday March 26, 2010 00:00

The meeting was convened to address the current standoff within the BDP, which is threatening to split the party as displayed by the recent developments.

The purpose of the meeting was to explore avenues of resolving the standoff and accordingly avoid the possibility of the BDP breaking up. Knowing the position of Barata-Phathi as communicated formally this past weekend to the party leadership; and knowing the response of the BDP Central Committee to 'the concerns of an assembly of Barata-Phathi' as stated in the press statement dated March 22 2010, our team - notwithstanding all of this - requested for permission to seek audience with Barata-Phathi. This meeting was therefore held, not at the request of, but with the blessing of His Excellency, the President and the BDP Central Committee.

Having heard the concerns raised by Barata-Phathi and following very candid discussions, it was agreed by all those at the meeting that all efforts must be made by both Barata-Phathi and the party leadership to bring peace within the party. With the full support of my team, I now make the following requests:

*The Barata-Phathi must desist from making further inflammatory statements to the media that they are forming a new political party unless their concerns or demands are met by the party leadership;

*The Barata-Phathi must stand down on their concerns or demands to allow for dialogue with the party leadership;

*The Barata-Phathi should appoint a five-member working group to meet with the Central Committee in pursuit of party unity and reconciliation;

* The BDP Central Committee must hold off the implementation of any steps set out in the press statement dated March 22 2010, including the taking of any disciplinary action against Barata-Phathi to allow for dialogue in pursuit or party unity and reconciliation; and

*The BDP Central Committee should convene a meeting as soon as possible to meet with my team and the working group appointed by Barata-Phathi to address this matter. We urge all Democrats to unite and support these efforts, and all Batswana to remain calm during this period.

Sir Ketumile Quett Masire