UDC is in talks with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) and Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF). Currently, UDC affiliates are Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana People’s Party (BPP) and Botswana Congress Party which is on its way out.
In an interview with Mmegi this week, the UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa said they have not put a time frame for the conclusion of the cooperation talks.
“What is important is not to rush an agreement,” said Mohwasa, adding they need ‘a durable and sustainable agreement’. Instead, the spokesperson said they have indicated before, that an announcement would be made once they have something to share.
He further revealed that the UDC does not get involved in the primaries of their affiliates and therefore that is for affiliates to deal with. Mohwasa said their plan is to win all the wards and constituencies on offer.
Unlike other parties, UDC will have to deal with the issue of constituency and ward allocations which seem to be causing disputes or differences in parties that want to cooperate with for the general election. Mmegi has been informed that despite UDC and its partners having not agreed on a number of issues some members from different parties are busy campaigning and eyeing certain constituencies.
“The cooperation talks are ongoing and some of the issues like constituency allocations have been agreed upon. They will soon finish on the issue of the model. Both parties, UDC, AP and BPF have a lot in common which makes things easier. In some of the areas, parties agree that a compromise model must be used. The issue of time frame has been taken into consideration in some areas that are crucial. For example, Gaborone constituencies would not go for primary elections,” a source told this publication.
The source further revealed that cooperation talks will be announced before the end of this year. Apart from constituency and ward allocation, if UDC takes too long to finalise the model of cooperation with other parties then its campaigns for the general election will also be affected. On the other hand, one of UDC's affiliates, BNF has resolved not to hold primary elections. The BNF instead will pursue the approach of reaching consensus on candidates for wards and constituencies.
This resolution was made at the BNF annual conference in Shoshong in July. “For emphasis, there will be compliance with BNF Electoral Rules to ensure free, fair, and credible process of selection of party candidates for 2024 general elections,” BNF secretary-general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa revealed in a statement. In the past BNF president, Duma Boko, is said to have hinted that the party will choose candidates instead of primary elections as is the norm with many political parties locally. Meanwhile, the BPP recently postponed its conference citing a number of issues and it is not clear if they will hold one or not. “One of the agenda items was to determine whether the party should go for a national delegates conference or not. Our ancillary structures were found lacking and that is why a proposal to go for the congress could not be endorsed,” said BPP deputy secretary-general, Tiroyaone Ntsima recently. Ntsima added, “The CC resolved that our structures should first go for elections first. By the end of July, all ancillary structures of the party branches, constituencies, youth, and women’s wing would have conducted their respective elections.” Still, on the issue of parties, BPF also has its own challenges since the members are still fighting for power control through courts. So far, the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) has failed to hold its congress or conference because of internal fights. Despite the members not being part of the fights, the misunderstanding within the committee is starting to divide them. Currently, the NEC has expelled its party President Biggie Butale. Another issue that divides NEC is that they depend much on what party patron Ian Khama wants because of his popularity in the north.
