BCP should be focused on the real struggle

For the umpteenth time, we report on the complexities of the thawed relations between former allies in the opposition, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Ahead of the 2019 General Election, the country was under a hyped belief that the coalition partners comprising the BCP, Botswana National Front (BNF) and the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) were headed to tilt the scales of State power and possibly oust one of Africa’s longest ruling political parties, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), from the seat of power.

Disappointedly, post 2019 polls failed opposition bid, signs of cracks started developing in the coalition partners. The BCP raised incessant complaints that the UDC president, Duma Boko, was exhibiting uncomfortable signs of unilateralism and general undemocratic tendencies. This became the beginning of trouble in the ‘united’ opposition that saw them finally breaking up after a tumultuous sojourn that also saw some legislators fired from the BCP for their firm belief in the power of the UDC and so on. It’s not the first time the BCP has decided to bolt out of a coalition citing ‘dictatorial tendencies’ by the leadership of Boko, which unfortunately, were never resolved.

Elsewhere in this edition, we carry a story from the Tutume District Council, where reports show that possibly out of spite, the BCP decided to go into an unlikely alliance with the BDP only to oust the opposition alliance of the UDC and its partner Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF). It should also be noted that sometime in June this year, BCP councillors toppled their UDC counterparts in the North West District Council through a motion of no confidence and were conveniently replaced by BCP councillor, Itumeleng Kelebetseng, as chairperson, deputised by Nico Folae of the BDP.

With only less than a year ahead of the 2024 General Election, the BCP action might come to haunt them, as voters might start seeing no differences between the Dumelang Saleshando-led party and the BDP. The ruling party is assumed to be a common ‘enemy’ by opposition parties. The main concern, therefore, is what alternative government can the BCP provide when it’s able to sleep with the opposition enemy? The BDP has been in power for the past 57 years and the BCP and other opposition parties have been blaming the former for a plethora of societal ills bedevilling the nation. The consequence of this new found love might be that, the BCP might find itself with no moral leg to stand on, going forward. Whilst it might be in the nature of politicians to team up with unlikely partner(s), to achieve certain objectives, the BCP seems to have been just too desperate to witness one of their own in the opposition bloc simply ousted from the council leadership because of the differences they have. If the opposition bloc wants to remain relevant, it has to show the masses the salt it’s worth, rather than holding onto petty grudges and pulling each other down.

The BCP has to be reminded that its marriage of convenience with the BDP has simply betrayed the opposition struggle and might erode the goodwill that the party has amassed since its formation in 1998. We appeal to the BCP to put its house in order and remain focused on the real power struggle.