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BPF secretly cooperates with UDC amidst rift

Boko speaking at the launch of their Party Manifesto. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO Boko speaking at the launch of their Party Manifesto. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Boko speaking at the launch of their Party Manifesto. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

For instance, the collaboration was highlighted over the weekend when leaders from both organisations attended the UDC manifesto launch, signalling a growing alliance. Furthermore, the UDC president, Duma Boko, has consistently emphasised the importance of cooperation between the two. He has urged UDC members to support the BPF where necessary and engage in discussions to strengthen their partnership. Moreover, this message was reinforced at the Botswana National Front (BNF) conference in July and reiterated during the UDC manifesto launch in Tlokweng. 'It is important to let other opposition parties win in constituencies where our existence is not very significant,' Boko said, emphasising the issue of opposition unity.

'We should approach this year's elections in a simple way to have the (Botswana Democratic Party) BDP losing more constituencies. 'Let’s embrace it and start pulling out from those constituencies we know our candidacy will only help BDP. Don't look much at what other parties are saying about UDC,” he added. Moreover, he said the aim is for BDP to lose more constituencies and lose power. The UDC president said they shouldn't be afraid of who will have more wins after the elections. Rather, Boko said they should just focus on the facts in their constituencies and mobilise UDC members to vote for a strong party in that constituency and gave examples of Serowe constituencies.

Earlier this year, BPF president, Mephato Reatile, announced at the party's leadership forum that his party would withdraw from the UDC coalition. According to Reatile, the decision was driven by the numerous internal disputes within the UDC, particularly concerning the allocation of wards. However, this move created significant division within the BPF itself with some members angered by the decision and chose to remain aligned with the UDC. Moreover, the BPF National Executive (NE) found itself split on the issue, with some members arguing that the president's decision could be overturned by the party congress.

Currently, some of the BPF members have threatened to take the party president to court over the decision he had made to exit the UDC. The BPF president had written to UDC requesting for a pact but UDC refused, as the coalition believes that it was the only option that could help them. UDC affiliates are BNF, Alliance for Progressives and Botswana People’s Party.