Trouble in UDC paradise
Saleshando challenges NEC, all members to acknowledge and appreciate there are problems in UDC Saturday’s NEC Palapye meeting expected to discuss and resolve differences
Botswana Congress Party ( BCP) President who doubles as Umbrella for Democratic Change ( UDC) Vice President Dumelang Saleshando has admitted that there are differences within the opposition coalition.
He said it is time that the UDC leadership and its members acknowledge and appreciate that there are problems within the UDC. The opposition coalition is made up of BCP, Botswana National Front ( BNF) and Botswana People’s Party ( BPP).
According to Saleshando once the UDC acknowledges that there are problems, it would be able to diagnose the problem and have it resolved. Saleshando pointed out that he is not going to agree with those who want the UDC to portray a good picture of the coalition while it is now in the public domain that there are differences within the National Executive Committee ( NEC) and members at large.
“We no longer trust each other within the UDC. Let us acknowledge that there are differences and not bury our heads in the sand. Once we acknowledge that, we will be able to fix things within the coalition. There is too much debate and differences regarding the UDC Constitution. We agreed as UDC that post 2019 there will be an elective congress to usher in a new leadership. We had agreed that we will run the UDC through consensus.
It has been like that and when we do not agree we go back to the table and discuss. What is happening now is that the UDC is run on majority and when there is a lone voice such voice is not considered. Let us not lie to ourselves that there are no problems,” Saleshando told the media in Gaborone on Wednesday this week.
Regarding the last UDC NEC meeting in Mahalapye which the BCP was absent, Saleshando who is also MP for Maun West said the BCP has been a member of the UDC since 2016 when the party worked with UDC during by- elections ahead of officially joining the coalition. He explained that the norm has been that when one contracting member is not available for NEC meeting such meeting is postponed. We did not walk out of the meeting as suggested in the five years we have been UDC member, we have not asked for a single postponement and this was our first request because we had other engagement, added the BCP leader. According to Saleshando he could not be part of the preceding press conference because he was not briefed of what was going to be discussed with the media. He said this shows a problem in running the organisation.
He dismissed claims that he is eyeing to topple UDC leader Advocate Duma Boko from the UDC presidency. He said by the beginning of next month he might not be president of the BCP as the party goes for its elective congress.
“I am a UDC Vice President by virtue of being BCP President. If I am not a BCP leader I would not be second in command for UDC. UDC Constitution says there should be a congress every three years to seek fresh mandate. In 2018 UDC had a National Conference where a new Constitution was adopted in which it was agreed that the UDC President will take us to the 2019 general election and post that, there will be an elective congress. That agreement was between BCP, BNF and BPP. If there is a change in that we have to sit down and discuss but I am not saying that is a deal breaker because we have to go back to the members and hear what they say. The Transitional Clause is meant for preparation to the congress. You cannot have a permanent Transition,” said Saleshando, who is also Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
Saleshando has dismissed claims that the BCP intends to exit the UDC. He explained that this claim was triggered by his BCP Presidential Tour he undertook. He stated that his visit to constituencies is nothing new in the party and is a culture that has been there for many years. He said like their colleagues in the UDC, the BCP is building its structures to enhance the UDC that will attract many people into its fold. He said the status quo at UDC is worrisome and it would not be surprising that when talks with other parties start, they would not be interested in the UDC until differences are ironed out.
“There is no how the UDC will collapse. If the differences are sorted out, we will have a strong and united UDC. We need Conflict Resolution Mechanism as a coalition. It is up to us as the UDC whether we want to be close or apart. If we cannot allow for democratization within the umbrella, how are we going to do that when in government?” stated Saleshando, who confirmed that the BCP will be attending Saturday’s UDC NEC meeting in Palapye.