Learn from past unity failures - opposition parties told

TSHIRELETSO MOTLOGELWA
Staff Writer | Tuesday September 21, 2010 00:00

 This week the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) revealed that it had written letters to other opposition parties inviting them for unity talks.

However Mpotokwane says the parties have to be more careful this time around. 'First they should engage in informal talks to build trust and confidence among members of the negotiating teams. They should trust one another personally,' he said.  Mpotokwane said establishing trust is paramount, especially given that in the last talks, there was a lot of mistrust and suspicion between the parties. He said it is more important to lay the groundwork before the talks start rather than go forward without proper preparations.

'Smaller teams will be much easier than large groups in each team. At most, you should have three or four negotiators. Furthermore, this time it will be important to have a reference group to which all impasses are referred,' he said. Mpotokwane stated that parties often tend to let time become a major determinant in unity talks. He urged the parties to allow the negotiations ample time to reach agreement. 'You do not want to be stuck in a position where you have to conclude something just because you want to meet some deadline. Details will be very important,' he advised. He said the parties should have a national outlook. 'In the last talks, it was obvious that parties tended to try to satisfy their members but they should also keep in mind the general mood of the public,' he said. He added that he is more positive this time that the parties are better prepared for the talks because of their past experience. 'The fact the parties have been given a wide mandate by their congresses means the teams have a better position to negotiate,' he said.

This week BCP spokesperson, Taolo Lucas said his party wants the talks to start in earnest and to be completed before the end of next year. The BCP negotiation team has already been selected. It consists of Busang Manewe, Dr Benjamin Bolaane, Phillip Monowe and Dr Nobantu Rasebotsa.

It is expected to be led by party chairman, Batisani Maswibilili. Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) are yet to respond to the BCP letter.