Duma hits out at Ndaba

The President of Botswana National Front (BNF), Duma Boko has said that he is not concerned about people who want to leave the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Since one of the affiliates of UDC, the troubled orange movement, Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) engaged in a power struggle, there have been rumours that Ndaba Gaolathe’s faction is planning to form a new party because UDC is failing to resolve their conflict.

Boko was addressing members of BNF, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and BMD over the weekend in Lobatse and in what was viewed as a veiled attack on Ndaba and his followers, the evidently angry Boko fired: “I will not be working with people who do not like the UDC. Those who are self-centered and claim to be popular will not be welcome in the UDC.” Even though the crowd attendance was very poor, Boko told them that UDC is stronger than before and they have passed through difficult times.

Ironically in his speech, Boko did not acknowledge BMD as one of its important partners in the UDC, but chose to talk about BCP, BNF and BPP. Despite growing concerns of a rift within the umbrella body, Boko said he was confident the UDC will take over power in 2019. Last week Gaolathe’s faction issued a press release after appearing before UDC jurisdiction saying they found it disheartening to be informed at the UDC meeting that the other group, who were supposed to appear the following day, had indicated that they would only be available between September 4 and 6.

“We wish to register our concern at this lack of urgency and commitment to a speedy resolution of this matter, and reiterate our position that any sluggish approach to this matter should be viewed as counter-productive and self-defeating,” the statement said.