IS AP CHANGING GEARS?
We have people in the AP who have immensely contributed towards UDC growth - Mohwasa
to have a consensus candidate during Bosele by-elections last month has forced Alliance for Progressives (AP) not to support any of the parties.
Prior to that, the three were having opposition talks separate to that of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Allegations are that the move by the two parties, BCP and BLP’S failure to agree, was the final straw which forced AP to reconsider its decision to work under the new coalition and retrace its steps back to the UDC. The Voice Reporter, DANIEL CHIDA, speaks to party spokespersons on the latest development. Unfortunately, there was no comment from the BCP at the time of going to press.
Moeti Mohwasa - UDC Head of Communications The position of the UDC is consistent and unwavering. We are about bringing together, where practically possible, all opposition parties in the country.
The UDC is not about entertaining personal differences and squabbles but unity of all forces opposed to the Botswana Democratic Party. We ensured that the BCP became a member of the UDC after it failed to be part of us in the 2014 general elections. This, we will do, with any willing organisation as we approach the 2024 general elections. If the BCP had been part of the UDC, then we would have won the 2014 general elections just like we would have won had they not left the BNF to form a new party in 1998. This is, however, history but remains a telling lesson about the importance of working together. Based on the recent performance in the bye-elections, however, it is clear that Batswana want to give power to the UDC. The latest Afro Barometer Report also confirms this. We don’t want to leave any of the willing opposition parties behind. As we have said before, we do not celebrate when we see other opposition parties underperform or struggle as it is cold outside the UDC. No single party can survive outside the UDC. We have people in the AP who have immensely contributed towards UDC growth and if they are minded to join forces with us they are welcome. Batswana have built this brand and the majority don’t want anything less than it. It is abundantly clear that Batswana identify with the UDC, the people’s project. We carry the hopes and aspirations of our people who want decent jobs and decent lives and this cuts across all political parties.
Phenyo Butale - AP Secretary General We are at the negotiations with BCP and BLP and we are very much committed to these talks.
The history of these talks is such that we are where we are because of the compromises we made throughout the journey. We believe that if all the parties at the table can do the same, then there is no reason to worry about whether the talks will succeed or not. Regarding speculation that we have moved and abandoned the talks, we do not have an appetite to engage such because what is critical is trust and we have ensured that there is no leakage to the media. We have respect for our partners. We are focused and committed in united opposition that Batswana have been pushing for and the only things or reasons which we may find ourselves having to leave the table for are a breach of fundamentals that we all agreed on. It includes issues of trust and negotiating in good faith and putting selfish party issues aside.