Moupo opts out

TSHIRELETSO MOTLOGELWA
Staff Writer | Tuesday March 16, 2010 00:00

 

The president of the Botswana National Front Otsweletse Moupo will not run for another term at this year's congress. Moupo made this announcement - as unexpected in certain quarters as it was in others - at a press conference at the Big Five Lodge in Mogoditshane yesterday.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts, among them Bashi Sengwaketse, Olebile Gaborone, and Moeti Mohwasa, who are chairman, vice-president and publicity secretary respectively.

Moupo's term and that of the rest of the BNF central committee is due to end at the July congress when elections for a new leadership will be held.

The trouble-riddled BNF president will not seek to stand for any other position of leadership either.

'Like any BNF member, I have the right to contest for any position of leadership, including that of party president,' he said. 'That notwithstanding, I have decided not to defend my position as president or to contest for any other leadership position'

He was quick to say his decision  was not the result of any outside pressure. 'I have made this decision on my own and not under (the) external influence or pressure of any nature whatsoever,' he said.

'Contrary to the idea being peddled by my detractors that I am tenaciously clinging to power even against the expressed will of BNF members, I never intended to remain for too long in the leadership. I shall accordingly be passing the baton to another comrade in July.'

Asked about his contribution, he admitted that 'there are certain things I would have done differently', especially in view of the divisions that rent the BNF almost asunder under his tutelage.

'I derive particular contentment from the fact that I received comradely sympathy and support from an overwhelming majority of party members, particularly during the period when I was facing formidable personal challenges' he said, and appealed to members 'to let bygones be bygones'.

While he will not seek a leadership- position, he will be available to serve the party when called upon: 'I will be ready to serve the party on any task assigned to me, particularly in ideological work, cadreship development and training,' he said.

A number of names have been put on various lobby lists to replace Moupo. Among them are Duma Boko, Bucks Molatlhegi and Gabriel Kanjabanga. Moupo's leadership has come under incessant criticism, especially after the general elections in which the BNF lost its major strongholds.

On other matters, Moupo criticized the Botswana Democratic Party's 'engagement' with De Beers and called for a commission of enquiry into the De Beers fiasco, he said, referring to reports of slush funds the mining giant channelled to the BDP and its principals.