Boko and Saleshando met ahead of the BCP conference which started yesterday in Mahalapye and ends today. The meeting also heralded a fierce public debate with some questioning the sincerity of the gathering while others emphasised the need for the two leaders to explore unity.
One of the anticipated outcomes of the conference is that the BCP will pull out of the coalition. BCP members are also expected to endorse the expulsion of five BCP Members of Parliament (MP) Dithapelo Keorapetse, Never Tshabang, David Tshere, Kenny Kapinga, and Onneetse Ramogapi.
The five MPs recently attended a UDC caucus meant to replace Saleshando as the Leader of Opposition (LOO). Keorapetse was eventually elected the next LOO. The development came after Saleshando and BCP secretary-general Goretetse Kekgonegile were suspended from the UDC for openly speaking against governance challenges as well as lack of democracy in the coalition. The BCP wants out of the coalition because it believes governance issues are not adhered to.
At the conference, a section of some BCP members appeared unamused by Saleshando’s decision to meet Boko. They believe the relationship between the BCP and its partners in the UDC, the BNF, and Botswana People’s Party (BPP) is irreparable. It has been reported that the meeting was organised by some of Boko’s advisers who believe that there is still room for reconciliation between the warring UDC parties. On the eve of a BCP conference, Boko posted his picture with Saleshando on his Facebook page.
Boko indicated that the two leaders had a meeting and labelled the development a "significant step toward reconciliation" between the two leaders. He promised that more details about the meeting will follow. Saleshando later confirmed the meeting with Boko and a few agenda items that were discussed when briefing the conference about the state of the BCP. “I recently met the president of the BNF, in response to calls by some Batswana who believe that no effort must be spared in protecting the unity of the opposition, in particular the UDC,” Saleshando.
He added: “We converged around some issues for our two parties to reflect over, which are: Lifting the suspensions of UDC NEC members, withdrawing the case against the UDC on suspensions, lifting the suspension on the five MPs, engaging on enhancing prospects of opposition victory in Moselewapula, and also engaging an independent facilitator for the UDC governance issues.” He stated that the meeting achieved nothing much.
The BCP leader added that he does not have the authority to commit to lifting the suspensions of the suspended MPs. Despite the meeting, Saleshando appeared not too keen on reconciliation with Boko. His speech leaned more towards the BCP quitting the UDC. It was evident that he was drumming the mood of his troops to buy into the idea of leaving the UDC and forging a relationship with the Alliance for Progressives (AP). “We have a chance to stand for democracy.
We have a choice to go with good governance. We have a chance to teach Batswana why transparency is critical, we have the choice to make part of our interest for a better future,” he said in what was widely viewed as a last and strong attempt to convince BCP members to endorse the idea to 'leave the UDC'. After his address, Saleshando reacted to indications that some members of the BCP were not happy with him meeting Boko. “Some thought that I had committed the party in the discussion with Boko.
I don’t have such powers. Let's wait; I will be listening attentively to deliberations during discussions at the commissions (during the conference),” he said in a brief interview. UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa said that he is aware of the meeting between Boko and Saleshando but is not privy to details. That was after he was asked if indeed Boko’s aides organised the meeting.
