UDC: A party at war with itself
BCP boycott press conference BPP dismisses BCP’s claim on call for postponement We must expect infiltration and betrayals - Boko
Umbrella for Democratic Change is a party at war with itself as the contracting partners’ differences are now aired out in the open.
The Coalition’s President Advocate Duma Boko put it succinctly this week when addressing a Press in Gaborone: “The UDC will come under heavy attack from the Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP). They will deploy agent provocateurs among us, recruit some of our members to seek to tarnish us and destabilise the UDC. “Because of the economic hardships our people face, there will be many on the auction block willing to sell their soul for a mess of pottage. “We must expect infiltration and betrayals. Hired guns will be sent out to malign the UDC and some of its most feared leaders.” When the infighting was reported mid last year, it was dismissed as propaganda aimed at sowing seeds of discord in the coalition. In the build- up to the Mahalapye National Executive Committee ( NEC) meeting on June 10th 2021, a growing division was experienced as one of the contracting partners, Botswana Congress Party ( BCP), wanted the meeting to be postponed but would later opt to attend it virtually. This did not materialise as according to the party, they were given the link to the meeting late. Now the BCP has come out to accuse the UDC President Boko of disregarding their proposal for the postponement of a press conference which was held on Monday this week.
The BCP did not attend the press conference on grounds that it was not notified of issues that were to be shared with the media as the party was not part of the Mahalapye NEC meeting where the coalition leaders made resolutions.
The Mahalapye meeting was attended by Botswana National Front ( BNF) and Botswana People’s Party ( BPP). According to observers this is a clear indication that the fight is between the BCP and the BNF. Insiders say the infighting is over the convening of the UDC elective congress, which according to the BCP is the only way to democratise the coalition. The BCP this week stated that it could not be part of the media briefing because it is not proper for the party to hold the press conference before the leadership has discussed and agreed on the issues to be shared with the press. “At the very least, the president should have confided in his deputy, who is also the President of the BCP, regarding the issues to be addressed at the press conference.
“For these reasons, the BCP proposed that the planned press conference be postponed to a later date to allow party leaders to meet and agree on what UDC needs to do for its own internal stability and for the good of the nation. “The UDC chairperson, who is also the president of the BPP, also made a similar proposal. However, the suggestions were rejected by the UDC President, Comrade Duma Boko,” BCP Vice President Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang said. In a twist of events, the BPP has dismissed claims by the BCP regarding its president Motlatsi Molapisi. “It is alleged that ‘ the UDC Chairperson, who is also the President of the Botswana People’s Party, also made a similar proposal’ that the UDC press conference, scheduled for 21 June, at Cresta Lodge be postponed to a later date. The reason advanced being ‘ to allow party leaders to meet and agree on issues to be shared with the Press.” The BPP would like to distance itself and the BPP President from the alleged proposal,” BPP Publicity Secretary Nonofo Kgafela- Mokoka said, adding that the BPP is a co- founder of the UDC and hence could never at any point act in any way that could impede the progress of the coalition. KgafelaMokoka stated that as a member of the UDC, the BPP is duty bound to participate in all UDC activities. The spokesperson pointed out that the BPP is an autonomous legal entity and would not want to have any other party advance any ideas or reports on its behalf. “We therefore, would like to advise our UDC partners to desist from making any statement about the party without prior consultation, especially when such statements are made public. Such acts could damage the relationship between BPP and other UDC partners,” Kgafela- Mokoka said.
Boko, who is also the BNF President told the media that the NEC of the UDC has directed, not only that as its President, that he hold the press conference, but that going forward he must be more visible despite the present constraints of the Covid pandemic.
He said the UDC remains focused on the plight and predicament of an ordinary Motswana. According to Boko they continue to pursue the unity of all opposition parties.