Boko nationwide tour raises doubts
Lebogang Mosikare | Monday April 4, 2022 10:32
The conflict between the two main influential affiliates of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is cited by some analysts and members of the public as the driving force behind the decision of the president of BNF and UDC, Duma Boko, to embark on a nationwide tour of constituencies without his second in command, Dumelang Saleshando, who is also the BCP president and UDC vice president.
Boko’s decision is contrary to what happened in the past when the two UDC leaders used to criss-cross the country together as a show of unity in order to shore up the fortunes of the coalition amongst other reasons.
As such, some within and without the UDC read Boko’s motive as a grand strategy to consolidate his power inside the BNF-where he is expected to face off with veteran BNF activist, Dr Baatlhodi ‘Bucs’ Molatlhegi for the party’s presidency.
In addition, some are reading malice in Boko’s decision to tour the country alone in the midst of problems that recently blew up in the public domain following the decision of the BNF to field its candidate to contest the Bophirima ward on behalf of the UDC.
On another matter, the BNF’s decision to field its candidate has riled the BCP, which in turn retaliated by fielding its candidate to contest Bophirima using its own symbol and colours.
The BCP strongly feels the ward belongs to it and accuses the BNF and UDC of having been motivated by ill-motives to ‘impose’ its candidate to contest the council seat.
While Boko has already begun his nationwide jamborees, which his detractors within the UDC say are mostly attended by BNF supporters because other coalition affiliates are not aware of, some people opine that this will inevitably deepen the long simmering tensions that already exist between the two parties.
To put the matter into perspective, some members of the national executive committee (NEC) of the UDC from the BCP have expressed ignorance about Boko’s expeditions around Botswana.
While the spokesperson of the UDC, Moeti Mohwasa, insists that Boko’s tour of the country was as a result of a resolution that was taken in Palapye last year, other UDC members who attended the same meeting have contrasting views. In simple words, they vehemently assert that no resolution to that effect was ever taken in Palapye.
The NEC meeting of the UDC in Palapye was convened as a gesture of closing divisions in the UDC especially between Boko and his deputy, Saleshando, who were at some point said to be not even on speaking terms.
Following the Palapye gathering, a semblance of peace seemed to have reigned supreme in the UDC albeit temporarily as some analysts had predicted.
Before the Palapye meeting, the UDC had convened a press conference in Gaborone at which Boko assured the nation that contrary to media reports and other platforms, the UDC was a united force which was not beset by any internal problems.
However, Boko would later change his position in Palapye at a press conference that was held after the UDC NEC meeting.
At the presser, both leaders of the UDC admitted that indeed there were some internal problems within the coalition that were however resolved for the good of both the party and nation at large.
The NEC meeting also resolved that Boko and Saleshando should go on a retreat whose purpose was to enable the former and latter to resolve any differences that may exist between them.
To date, however, the retreat has not been held because of, amongst other reasons COVID-19 restrictions.
This is despite the fact that the UDC had promised the nation that the retreat will one day materialise.
The holding of the retreat was interpreted in some circles as what was vitally needed in order to cure the cancer that had afflicted the UDC for sometime, which problems had existed before the nascent fight over the Bophirima ward.
The president of another UDC affiliate, Botswana People’s Party (BPP) who is also the chairperson of the former, Motlatsi Molapise, referred all questions relating to the spokesperson of the UDC, Mohwasa.
The spokesperson of BCP, Mpho Pheko, said as far as they are concerned the information that there was a resolution authorising Boko to travel the length and breadth of the country alone is not true.
“Secondly, Boko’s expedition around the country has nothing to do with the UDC but to do with the BNF. We challenge anyone who says that there is a resolution that allows Boko to travel around the country alone to bring forth that information,” said Pheko.
This week, Mohwasa told Mmegi that there is nothing untoward about Boko criss-crossing the country.
He stated that Boko’s nationwide tours will greatly benefit the UDC because it will give him various opportunities to amongst others meet the electorate in person to inform them about what the UDC intends to do once voted in power.
“Boko’s nationwide tour was taken pursuant to a resolution that was taken in Palapye during the meeting of the NEC of the UDC. Other UDC leaders are aware of that resolution and are also aware of Boko’s itineraries,” Mohwasa resolutely stated.
In the interim there seems to be no end in sight to the problems bedevilling the UDC.