Following the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Palapye National Leadership Forum, the BCP is expected to pronounce its position on opposition cooperation today (Sunday) during a media briefing at the Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC).
BCP information and publicity secretary, Taolo Lucas, says the party hopes to come out with a very clear position on three main burning issues, which include the position of the BCP on the umbrella two, the opposition cooperation and preparations on the 2014 elections.
“This is a major decision regarding BCP as we are to reveal to the nation our position regarding the on-going revived Umbrella negotiations after the collapse of the first round of the umbrella,” he said.
Lucas revealed that yesterday (Saturday), the central committee met and it was briefed on the relevant matters and is expected to make resolutions and added that the whole process will be delivered today to members of the media. He further said the executive committee has been briefed as well as the BCP secretariat.
“It has been premature to reveal the views and the reception expressed by members across the country during our consultative meetings and we are happy that the work has been done well through the spirit of consultations,” said Lucas.
Lucas said it should be noted that the consultation process was intended to brief and receive feedback from members of the party on the opposition cooperation project. He said BCP considers it imperative that it consults its membership on the status of the opposition project. According to Lucas, the process was concluded on March 11, after which the executive met on March 15 to consider the report and prepare its recommendations to the central committee.
Furthermore, Lucas said the most logical action as per the BCP leadership is to consult with members to seek guidance and direction on the matter. He said they have been engaging all the members in consultative meetings following the collapse of opposition cooperation talk’s end of last year.
He further revealed that the consultative meetings which were held in BCP regions countrywide were led by the BCP teams that included members of the BCP Central Committee, members of the BCP opposition cooperation negotiation team, members of the BCP national organizing committee and members of the BCP youth and women’s league.
“Where it was possible, we consulted with potential stakeholders such as the faith sector, workers, the business community, students and ordinary members of the public,” he said.
