The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is set to collaborate with other opposition parties outside the coalition in constituencies where it lacks strong candidates. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy aimed at unseating the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in key areas across the country.
This is according to resolutions adopted at the recent Botswana National Front (BNF) conference. The resolution states as follows;
-BNF with its contracting parties under UDC must contest in all 61 constituencies, however where UDC don’t have strong candidates the party must collaborate or form alliances with other parties outside UDC to make sure that BDP lose such a constituency, or to eliminate chances of BDP winning such constituency.
-There must be promotion and nurturing of inner democracy, criticism and self-criticism in BNF and that must be done within organisational structures and process. Anything other than that will be dealt with in terms of disciplinary processes.
-There be review and revision of BNF code of conduct to align it with contemporary organisational trends.
-The process and timing of selection of candidates for parliament and council candidates must be prompt, and the conclusion of appeals must be swift and prompt to allow for candidates to campaign well on time.
-The BNF through UDC must hold Regional campaigns, to allow for Regions to collaborate and launch candidates as a Region owing to time constraints from now to general elections.
-UDC direct members should be encouraged and advised to take memberships of contracting parties of the UDC to avoid this arrangement be forever.
-Having appreciated the overview of UDC manifesto, BNF resolved to adopt the manifesto with emphasis for an agenda of national transformation of economy, job creation, quality of life and address of deterioration in infrastructure such as schools, roads and hospitals. BNF to mobilise members to attend UDC launch in large numbers.
-The voice and policy contribution of BNF must be heard on international sphere pertaining to global issues to display and demonstrate an internationalist character.
-The deployment of leadership and bureaucrats in the new Government must be merit based with relevant qualifications and expertise to ensure quality public service or effective service delivery.
-The BNF must forge dialogue with and harness relations with religious groups and institutions to safeguard, promote their right to worship freely, further to acknowledge the role of the church in shaping morality of the nation, for the church to have a great role to play in national building and peace and harmony.
-BNF concerned about rising ritual killings and disappearance of people and therefore urges Government to get to the bottom of these matters, and suspicion is they may be associated with top Government people, given that such matters are never resolved.
Meanwhile, the BNF says it remains a united, stable party focused on its mandate. It remains robust and radical in its advocacy for radical economic transformation and reconfiguration of the state.
It says “The party leadership is intact, in unison and instrumental in ensuring that the UDC is functional, prosperous as the vehicle to bring about change of Government for genuine democracy, economic liberation and empowerment of Batswana.”
“In line with BNF Strategic Plan (2023-2026) and BNF Electoral rules section on leadership integrity, we are establishing BNF Integrity Commission tasked with the responsibility to make sure that the leaders of BNF are of high integrity and credibility,” the party says. It says this will help in impacting and inculcating an organisational culture of having strong principles and values on leadership, to provide a true and credible alternative to BDP type of government. The Commission will be responsible for preventing, detecting, investigating issues of integrity on leadership.
