For years, the BCP built a reputation as a disciplined organisation capable of managing fierce internal competition without spilling into the public arena. The BCP will be heading for its elective conference this year, in July, in Mogoditshane village, where they will elect their leadership.
However, this year’s developments suggest that culture is rapidly shifting, and not without consequence. What once unfolded quietly behind closed doors has now erupted into the open. Party members are increasingly clashing in public, trading accusations and openly campaigning against one another. This is a significant departure from the past, where even the most heated leadership contests remained largely internal. Now, the disagreements are no longer whispered in corridors; they are broadcast in press briefings and across social media platforms, exposing deepening cracks within the party. The emergence of organised factions has further amplified the tension. For the first time, rival teams are formally unveiling themselves through press conferences, signalling a new and more confrontational style of internal politics. This shift has raised serious concerns about the Central Committee’s ability to contain the situation, with some observers questioning whether the party’s leadership still holds firm control over its structures. Although the BCP has long been regarded as one of Botswana’s most stable opposition parties, the current developments are testing that reputation. Many within and outside the party now fear that the visible divisions could erode the unity that has defined the organisation for years. This is not to say the party has never experienced internal competition. In 2015, the BCP went through a highly contested elective conference that, in many ways, mirrors the current race. At the time, one camp was led by Taolo Lucas under the banner “Re mo no hela,” while another was aligned with Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang under “Re a join.” Despite the intensity of that contest, the campaigns remained largely confined within party structures. Differences were debated internally, and once the process concluded, the party regrouped and moved forward. In contrast, the present contest has taken on a far more public and, at times, personal tone. Campaigns are no longer restricted to policy debates or leadership credentials. Instead, they increasingly feature sharp criticism from senior members, raising fears that the party will be unable to reunite after the conference. At the centre of the current race are two main factions. One is led by Vice President Taolo Lucas under the slogan “Party ko sechabeng,” while the other is aligned with Unity Dow, campaigning under “Remotiakawena.” As the contest intensifies, both camps are mobilising support and defending their positions with growing urgency. However, the political contest has also descended into a war of words. Tensions escalated sharply following remarks attributed to Nkange Member of Parliament Motlhaleemang Moalosi, which prompted a blistering response from BCP treasurer Oral Mosedame. In a strongly worded Facebook post, Mosedame invoked historical parallels, likening Moalosi’s conduct to that of Marcus Junius Brutus, the Roman senator associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar. Drawing on Mark Antony's famous speech, he accused the MP of misleading party members through false and malicious claims. Mosedame’s response was uncompromising. He described the allegations against the Vice President and Team Taolo as deceitful, dishonest and entirely unfounded. He further criticised Moalosi for what he characterised as a failure to uphold the standards expected of public office bearers, arguing that leadership demands integrity and respect for the truth. Central to the dispute are claims regarding alleged internal manoeuvres within the party. Mosedame dismissed assertions that Lucas and his team had approached Unity Dow to challenge party president Dumelang Saleshando. He labelled the claim a fabrication, insisting it contradicts Lucas’s record of loyalty to the party leadership. To reinforce this point, Mosedame pointed to Lucas’s previous decision to decline the Leader of Opposition position, which he said was motivated by respect and loyalty to Saleshando. In his view, such actions demonstrate a commitment to party unity rather than internal subversion. The treasurer also rejected characterisations of Lucas as a “Godfather,” calling the label both disrespectful and misleading.
