UDC, BCP salvage talks, hope for deal

Leaders of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) met this Monday to thrash out differences that caused a last-minute cancellation of the announcement of a deal last week.

A source in the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity told this publication that President of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), Botswana Peoples Party (BPP), Botswana National Front and BCP met this week to finalise a deal of the negotiations that will be announced very soon.

“We met on Monday to conclude on matters that were raised by partners particularly BMD who were not happy about allocation of positions of leadership. Everything is done and the deal will be announced very soon,” said the source. But UDC spin-doctor, Moeti Mohwasa said he was not aware of what transpired in the negotiations because he has not been briefed.

He referred us to BMD leader Ndaba Gaolathe who is also UDC Secretary General, but whose phone rang unanswered. BCP spokesperson, Dithapelo Keorapetse also did not answer his phone.

The media space has over the past few days been awash with reports that the cooperation talks have collapsed, with especially the BMD activists crying foul over lack of consultations.