Skelemani, Kwelagobe bury All-Party Conference

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday November 30, 2007 00:00

On his appointment as Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Minister in 2004 before the ministry was sub-divided resulting in the creation of a new ministry that Skelemani heads today, he had vowed to call the All-Party Conference and look at pertinent issues with the stakeholders. He however, did not give a time line, but stated then that 'it would not be long'.

Since he made that vow, three years later, he has not called a single meeting. When he changed ministries the portfolio responsibility of the All-party conference remained at the Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Ministry now headed by his colleague, Daniel Kwelagobe.

'The All-Party Conference is provided for in the constitution. I was the attorney-general and I recognise its importance,' Skelemani told Mmegi in 2004.

Contacted for comment on why he has failed to push the meetings as promised, Skelemani insisted that he has not failed. 'Look, there was no time at all for the All-Party Conference,' he quipped.

He added that now that his cabinet colleague, Kwelagobe has taken over the responsibility, he would do what was necessary when the time comes.

'Kwelagobe is just as keen on those meetings. Since it was not a one-man show, he will fulfill the interests of the stakeholders'. He said previous ministers had always convened the All-party conference as and when they found it necessary to meet.

'For instance, when it is time for the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to appoint the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) commissioners, the All-Party Conference selects names of some of the commissioners and submits them for consideration by the JSC'.

In the past, it was Kwelagobe's highhanded handling of a meeting of the All-party conference that led to an opposition boycott before the elections.

The opposition's main beef was that they did not want to be used by the government to merely rubberstamp government's interests.

Quizzed as to when he was going to call the All-Party Conference, Kwelagobe said: 'We have not decided when we are going to call such a meeting. But, as and when there are issues of common interest requiring such a meeting, we would call the meeting'.

He could not say how he was going to be different this time after failing the opposition parties resulting in the Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Peoples Party (BPP), Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Botswana Alliance Movement boycotting the meeting in 2004.

Speaking to opposition politicians, they stressed the importance of the gathering in further shaping the country's democratic dispensation.

Meanwhile, BNF publicity secretary, Moeti Mohwasa said his party has always valued the meeting as a vehicle for discussing issues of national interest.

He was now worried that the ruling party believes that as they are in power, they monopolise wisdom. He said the meetings previously provided interaction between the ruling party and opposition parties where issues of national interest were discussed.
'The issues raised helped in shaping the discourse. This is an important consultative body that should be revived,' appealed Mohwasa.

He accused the BDP of using the All-Party Conference to fulfill its interests and then killing it. 'They have to listen to the opposition parties as they represent the interests of the people in shaping democracy in the nation'. He accused the BDP of being rigid and resisting change even when it was inevitable.

'Why should the BDP government create a monopoly of wisdom? That is a fallacy and will not take them anywhere in this century. Whose interest are they representing here?' wondered Mohwasa.

His opposite number in the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Dumelang Saleshando says whilst he appreciates that the constitution limits the use of the All-Party Conference to the nomination of the IEC commissioners, it plays a crucial role.

'Parties engaging each other on issues of national interest helps the political players to continue searching for opportunities to enhance our democracy rather than limiting democracy to the wishes of the ruling BDP,' said Saleshando.

In his view, the All-Party Conference was abandoned during President Festus Mogae's tenure.

'It's a drawback because some of the issues need to be discussed across the political divide. We still believe there is value in the All-party conference,' said Saleshando. He added that it was the organ which gave birth to the IEC.

Saleshando, also Gaborone Central MP, said it was unfortunate that the BDP government still believes in monopolising the political game in the country.

'Winning the elections gives the ruling party the power to govern and not necessarily the power of wisdom,' Saleshando pointed out.