The plot thickens for the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) as the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the Alliance for Progressives (AP) exchange position papers with a view to form a coalition.
The BCP Secretary General Goretetse Kekgonegile told this publication that they are expecting over 1 000 delegates from across the country to attend the event to discuss, among other issues, the broader coalition of opposition parties.
The straw that broke the camel’s back, it appears, stems from Duma Boko’s suspension of his deputy Dumelang Saleshando from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
The suspension of both party President and its Secretary General and the ongoing indiscipline within the party are matters on the agenda.
Kekgonegile highlighted that it is the general membership of the party that will take decisions on the way forward for the party.
“It is an annual conference without internal elections. Of course we have a number of issues before us including the issue of replacement of leader of opposition, the suspension of the President and Secretary General from the UDC and the existence of the BCP within the UDC,” he said.
He stated that the conference will also afford them the opportunity to engage members on preparations for the 2024 general elections.
“We intend to review and revamp the party electioneering process for the 2024 general elections. We also want to understand from members on whether there is need to realign or retain the status quo on the issue of coalition,” he said.
“We also want to look into the issue of membership drive in a bid to increase our membership,” added Kekgonegile.
He further said they are expecting all structures including women’s league, youth league and veteran committee to be present at the conference to help craft a path for the leadership of the party.
“The party Central committee will give members the opportunity to share their views and propose a way forward because this is part of the consultative meetings we ought to have every now and then,” said Kekgonegile.
Recently the BCP Publicity Secretary Professor Mpho Pheko admitted that the party has been rocked by indiscipline adding that they are shocked by the disregard for party resolutions by some party members particularly councilors and legislators.
She stated that any organization such as political party is governed by rules and regulations as would normally be provided for in its founding document (the constitution).
She highlighted that the constitution defines all decisions making structures of the party and the rights and responsibilities of members adding that members of the party are expected to know and abide by all decisions of other leadership structures empowered to make them in between national conferences.
