BPP Youth League accuses Sankoloba of dictatorship
A constitutional dispute is unfolding within the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) after the party leadership announced the dissolution of the Interim Youth League Committee, only for the Youth League to challenge the decision and insist that due process was not followed.
The dispute centres on differing interpretations of a March Central Committee resolution, with the party leadership maintaining that it provides the basis for dissolving the interim structure, while the Youth League argues that the resolution only paved the way for consultations and did not authorise the removal of its leadership.
In a letter dated July 7, Secretary General Mmantlha Sankoloba informed the disputed Interim Youth League Committee that the Central Committee had resolved to dissolve the structure with immediate effect. She said the committee no longer had the authority to act on behalf of the Youth League. “The former Interim Youth League Committee no longer exists and therefore has no mandate to act, represent, organise, or undertake any activities on behalf of the Botswana People’s Party Youth League,” Sankoloba wrote.
She directed former committee members to immediately stop presenting themselves as Youth League office bearers, warning that failure to comply would be regarded as misconduct and could result in disciplinary action under the party constitution. Sankoloba said the party would establish new Youth League structures in line with the constitution and that future processes would be communicated through the appropriate party organs. The decision drew an immediate response from the Youth League President, Montlatsi Masalila, who rejected both the dissolution and the Secretary General’s interpretation of the Central Committee resolution.
Masalila said the dispute was not about individuals but about protecting democratic principles within the party. “The Botswana People’s Party has become a place of power struggles where certain individuals are abusing their positions to intimidate, control and rule through fear,” he said. He argued that he was appointed by the Central Committee in March 2025 and could not lawfully be removed through what he described as an administrative letter. According to Masalila, the March 2026 Central Committee meeting did not dissolve the Youth League leadership but instead resolved that consultations be held with the Youth League and Women’s League to improve their administration before any recommendations were submitted back to the Central Committee.
He said those consultations were never completed. Masalila further stated that he continued representing the party at official programmes, including the Tati Siding Leadership Forum, which, in his view, demonstrated that he remained the recognised Youth League president. Masalila alleged that the Youth League had repeatedly sought financial support for its activities but was told the party had no money despite what he claimed was regular monthly income. He questioned the management of party finances and called for greater accountability.
Those allegations have not been independently verified, and the Secretary General’s letter does not respond to them. The Youth League also criticised proposed constitutional amendments, arguing that they were drafted without adequate consultation and were aimed at disadvantaging particular members seeking senior leadership positions. It further claimed to have opposed factional battles during the Masunga Special Conference, saying its priority was to preserve stability within the party rather than support competing camps.
As the disagreement intensified, the National Youth Executive Committee issued a separate public statement urging members not to panic. The committee assured Youth League structures that it had formally responded to the Secretary General through the appropriate party channels and remained committed to resolving the matter constitutionally. “The National Youth Executive Committee calls upon all Youth League members to remain calm, disciplined and united. There is no reason to panic or to engage in actions that may undermine the unity and stability of our Party,” the statement reads. The Youth League also challenged what it described as the Secretary General’s unilateral exercise of power.
“No single office bearer, including the Secretary General, possesses unilateral authority to dissolve the Youth League, remove its leadership or alter decisions that properly belong to the Central Committee or the Youth League Leadership Forum,” the statement reads. Despite rejecting the dissolution, the Youth League urged members to continue serving the party while allowing constitutional processes to unfold. “Our struggle has never been against individuals. It is a struggle to preserve democracy, accountability and constitutional governance within the Botswana People’s Party,” the committee said.
The Youth League also appealed to Party President Molapisi to settle P7,700 in outstanding expenses incurred during the July 2026 Youth Leadership Forum after the party allegedly declined to fund the event. According to the committee, the unpaid costs include P2,200 for accommodation at the University of Botswana and P5,500 for catering.