Balopi walking on eggshells
The President of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Mpho Balopi says he is not endorsing or campaigning for any candidate of lobby groups for both the Youth and Women’s Wings elective congress. Balopi’s public announcement comes at a time when there has been claims within the BDP circle that the party’s central committee is divided in relation to throwing support behind preferred lobby groups.
It has been alleged that even the president was at the forefront of leading an onslaught on some of the lobby groups for Women’s Wing and a Youth Wing. Since losing power the BDP has not elected substantive Youth and Women’s Wing leadership. Allegations have been rife within the BDP corridors that the two lobby groups as they traverse the country canvassing for votes have been met with intimidations and threats. This development according to insiders has the threat to destabilise the party which is already showing some cracks of disunity and disgruntlement.
“The Central Committee and I are prepared to work with all the new leaders that will be elected by their respective wings. We trust that suitable candidates will emerge through our established democratic process. Certainly we are all winners in the BDP,” declared Balopi. According to Balopi the ongoing campaigns by the women and youth is a strong demonstration of desire to contribute to the party’s collective good. The congresses are expected to be held in November this year. Balopi is currently dealing with a mammoth task uniting and stabilising the BDP following the 2024 loss. After losing the election most democrats lost active participation zeal arguing that the party leadership is the one that cost the party power.
Many have now accepted being part of the defeat pointing solely at former President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Balopi has preached reconciliation and unity as a starting point for the party to regroup and settle in as a first time opposition member having ruled the country since independence. He has maintained that once the party settles in as an opposition, this will help the BDP to regroup and prepare to reclaim power from the coalition movement- the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
The BDP is now facing an emerging revolt by some within the party who are questioning Balopi’s leadership style. Following the hosting of a successful Maun 2025 elective congress the party is now in less than a year experiencing growing discomfort under the new leadership threatening the party’s stability ahead of its next congress and preparations for the general elections. Balopi has had an overwhelming support during the Maun Congress and increased his support within the party when the BDP elected regional leadership. However, sources have revealed that some of the regions might have turned against the president, a development that could weaken his presidential standing and control of the party.
The Youth and Women’s Wings’ congresses are expected to be a testing ground for the party life.