When the Republican constitution was adopted in 1966, the vision of the national leadership at the time was to transform Botswana into a multiparty democracy. This decision was made at a time when one party repressive regimes and dictatorships were an acceptable option. As a nation, we have jealously protected and promoted the ideals that underpin democratic contests amongst those who wish to occupy the seat of power.
However, after almost 45 years of self rule and 10 electoral contests, Botswana remains a defacto one party state. Electoral contest for control of government has produced one winner and denied the nation the experience and benefits of democratic transfer of power from one party to the other. Democratic transfer of power is one of the key indicators of a mature democracy. It still remains a moot question whether or not Botswana would be able to maturely handle such a transfer, given the propensity of African leaders to hang on to power after losing elections.
Some of the factors that have facilitated the grip on power by the Botswana Democratic Party include an unfair playing field. Many observers have noted that while elections in Botswana are free, their fairness is suspect. There is no funding of political parties while the ruling party abuses public resources to promote its campaigns. The use of the state media in the run up to elections is heavily tilted in favor of the ruling party. The electoral system is also such that it distributes Parliamentary seats in a manner that amounts to disregarding the express wishes of the electorates. An example of this travesty is the results of the 2009 general elections, where the BDP secured 53% of the popular vote, which the electoral system translated into 79% of Parliamentary seats.
We are all aware that calls for electoral reform will not be accepted by the current regime given that greater democratization could be a fatal development for the moribund BDP. The key questions that confront us are; do we continue to offer ourselves as sacrificial lambs for the BDP to unfairly slaughter us with their time tested unfair electoral process, whose shortcomings they manipulate with sharpened skills? Are we prepared to remain in opposition whilst an increasingly unpopular government hangs on to power through an unfair electoral process? Should we continue to lose elections to the BDP even in constituencies where the majority of voters have turned their backs to the BDP? What value does competing against each other as opposition parties add to our democracy, where such competition results in electoral gains for the BDP? Is there greater urgency in opposition parties proving to each other that one opposition party is stronger in one or the other locality, or the greatest urgency is for a democratic transition from the BDP to a new government committed to delivering a better life for Batswana?
A sober reflection over the above stated questions presents a compelling case for opposition parties to explore, as a matter of urgency and national importance, cooperation for all future by-elections and the 2014 general elections. As individual parties, our prospects may indeed point to increasing our parliamentary seats whilst the BDP remains in power, but as a collective, state power is within reach by the year 2014. Our shared values on respect for civil liberties and human rights, greater participation of Batswana in the economy of the country, placing greater premium on health and education, combating corruption and promoting transparency in governance presents a robust message for 2014 that the BDP cannot possibly counter with their populist schemes of Ipelegeng and constituency football.
As we launch the Opposition Cooperation Talks for the 2014 general elections, we are mindful of the fact that this will not be a romantic walk in the park. Huge challenges and pitfalls lie ahead.
This is a road that has been traversed by many of our predecessors with limited gains. Some of the modest gains attained in the past were the merger of the Independence Party and Freedom Party to form the Independence Freedom Party. The formation of the Botswana Alliance Movement also saw the merger of some political parties such as Bosele Action Party and Independence Freedom Party. Last year, the BCP and BAM also merged into one entity. Contrary to some of the statements made by the pessimists who see attempts to unite the opposition as futile, there has been some positive experience, though modest.
There will be difficult decisions to make and we will all have to compromise some of the organizational interests and objectives in order to promote the collective good. Party members must demonstrate sensitivity in the choice of language when they address each other. The public will be keeping a close watch over the process to ascertain whether or not we can be trusted with state power. We must demonstrate that we have learnt lessons from past initiatives aimed at uniting the opposition.
I wish to thank the Committee for the Promotion of Democracy, who once more have availed their members to be facilitators for the process. Their commitment to strengthening our democracy is indeed inspiring. Their role will be limited to facilitation, and it is for the contracting parties to agree on a cooperation model that they deem feasible for the coming general elections.
On behalf of the BCP, which is itself a product of opposition cooperation, I pledge our total commitment to the negotiation process. We trust that the process will be completed within the year 2011 where after we will unleash our combined strength against the ailing BDP to catapult our nation to a greater level of democracy and economic development.
