SADC must intervene in Masisi-Khama bad blood

Local political analyst Ndulamo Morima says the bad blood between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Lt Gen. Ian Khama has the potential to divide the nation along tribal lines. Besides causing unnecessary tensions in the country, the animosity is also likely to scare off foreign investors since Khama, who has some few months into his retirement is still very popular locally and internationally due to ties he acquired when he was still Botswana leader before his end of term on the 1st of April 2018. Although the bad blood has been unfolding for a while now, mediation by Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) elders has thus far not borne any fruits. Morima attributes this failure to bring both men to the table on the eleders’ factional affiliation in BDP. “With that in mind, I think the SADC former heads of State including the likes of Thabo Mbeki, Motlanthe and others should take note of the local situation and step in to broker peace which seems to be at stake. The end result of the animosity between the two can go a long way in causing havoc not only to Botswana but SADC as a region,” he pointed out. His sentiments come after Khama snubbed a kgotla meeting in Serowe village that was addressed by Masisi whom he endorsed at the same platform on his way to retirement. Khama would later attend a kgotla meeting in Palapye where he complained that government barred some public officers from attending. Masisi has since distanced himself from the reported fall-out, saying reports of animosity were a figment of the imagination on those who want to fuel unnecessary conflict. He said this at the Serowe kgotla meeting, where he added that all he is doing is to continue where his predecessors left. On the other hand, Khama has on several occasions suggested and even confirmed in various media interviews that there was indeed some cold war between himself and the Masisi administration.