BMD Youth League prepare for elective congress

The troubled Botswana Movement for Democracy Youth League (BMDYL) is scheduled to go for its elective congress next month (November). The last known congress held in Ramotswa was later nullified by the party leadership in what was part of a power-struggle within the BMD executive committee. Party spokesperson Rasina Rasina said the BMD Executive Committee has amongst other things resolved that BMD Youth Branches who had already held their congresses and elected their delegates should bring names accompanied by appropriate records to party secretariat not later than the last day of this month.

A press release from the party also reminded BMD structures nationwide that it is important to adhere to the set deadline for purposes of administration, such as preparation of the voters roll. Structures with difficulties in meeting the set deadline are advised to get into contact with the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and or National Organising Secretary to be assisted.

Early this year the party was embroiled in a power struggle that led to the suspension and expulsion of their former President, Ndaba Gaolathe who has since formed a new party, Alliance for Progressives (AP). BMD is the first party in the history of the country to go for an elective youth league congress without a party president and vice. Secretary General Tolerance Itumeleng has been running the youth league alone and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to give all reports that are supposed to be presented. The last congress they held was in Mochudi two years ago.

At that Mochudi congress, one of the contesting teams pulled out of the race at the 11th hour alleging that the elections were not free and fair. Most of them have since defected to the BDP. At that time, party President Gaolathe attempted to dissolve the BMDYL executive committee but the NEC overruled him. Then after the youth congress in Ramotswa, Gaolathe was suspended and later expelled from the BMD.