Africa-Press – Botswana. Amidst entrenched divisions within the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), the party held its national conference and extraordinary congress in Gaborone whereupon the party’s decision to join the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) was ratified on Saturday.
Congress made amongst others the below resolutions in a statement from the party’s publicity secretary, Lawrence Ookeditse, that read: “That ratification has been granted for the BPF to join the UDC; and that the NEC is given the full mandate to engage with the UDC to effect the ratification.” The BPF leadership resolved to join UDC early last year and the decision was to be ratified by the congress.
According to the BPF NEC, February meeting minutes, concern was raised that the NEC was not taking the UDC project seriously, not attending UDC NEC meetings, and also not progressing with the UDC work streams.
It was resolved then that the BPF should participate in the UDC work streams as had previously done, retain the same members, and that a letter should be written to the UDC to the effect that the BPF will work with the UDC.
The said meeting also resolved that the president, chairperson, secretary-general, and publicity and information secretary will represent the BPF at UDC meetings and that Dr Kolaatamo Malefho and Reitumetse Aphiri will be the alternate representatives in the absence of the secretary-general, Tshekedi Khama who is currently suspended from the party.
Other congress resolutions
While the former president and patron of the BPF, Ian Khama has made his BPF presidential ambition known, the congress resolved the current president, Biggie Butale and his NEC continue in the office and take the party to the 2024 General Election.
Some proposed amendments to the BPF constitution were approved by congress with corrections and additions as discussed.
The proposed primary election rules and regulations are approved with corrections and additions as discussed.
The BPF primary elections will be held in November on a date to be announced by the NEC.
“We would like to extend our profound gratitude to all the delegates for their diligent and resolute participation at the congress. We are very confident that with the energy and vigour displayed at the congress, the BPF of the UDC will deliver regime change in 2024,” Ookeditse stated.
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