Yesterday, Sir Ketumile issued a media statement - which he also read over Radio Botswana and Botswana Television calling for a ceasefire between the Barata-Phathi and the BD central committee to allow for negotiations.
Until yesterday none of the parties - the central committee led by President Ian Khama, and the Barata-Phathi leaders were willing to declare a ceasefire. From the time the Barata- Phathi announced that representatives from disgruntled structures across the country would be meeting, the BDP leadership issued threats of disciplinary action against the dissident members. The faction disregarded the threats. First was an announcement on BTV that the Saturday meeting was illegal and that those who attend risked the full wrath of the party disciplinary process. However, the delegates came and proceeded to unanimously declare they were forming a party. They also put forth a list of demands to Khama "to consider" but insisted they were determined to form a new party.
