Factional fights threaten BDP Youth Pitso

Instability continues to haunt the opposition Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) as the party now finds itself having to deal with internal fights over the youth Pitso, which is scheduled for next week at Tati-Siding.As the party prepares for this Pitso, information has emerged this week that the Pitso could be postponed due to internal fights and lack of funds. The party has indicated that it is currently financially challenged and is coming up with ways to raise funds.Sources have revealed that the party leadership is likely to postpone the Pitso after it emerged that there is a certain upcoming anti-Balopi faction which is planning to fund the Pitso.BDP President Mpho Balopi is allegedly a targeted man by some elements within the former ruling party to remove him from the presidency in the next Elective Congress expected next year.The BDP Central Committee has, in the past, dismissed claims of an alleged plot to oust Balopi from the top seat. As news unfolds, it is now clear that Balopi could face tough competition at next year’s elective congress.Sources, however, argue that the president might easily sail through, as currently all the elected structures across the country support him.Recently, the Party's Secretary General Kentse Rammidi has been furnished with a letter regarding the Pitso. Some members have expressed concern that many members of the Youth Wing continue to observe the prolonged delay in convening the National Youth Executive Congress (NYEC).The last duly constituted Youth Congress was held in 2022, and consequently, the anticipated 2024 Congress was not convened. “To date, the 2026 Congress has also not yet been held. This situation has unfortunately createda constitutional and representational vacuum within the Youth Wing, denying young democrats their democratic right to elect leadership of their choice in accordance with the spirit and letter of the BDP Constitution and YouthWing Regulations,” reads one of the letters seen by this publication, dated May 15th 2026, addressed to Rammidi.It has been argued that Article 5 of the BDP's Constitution recognises the existence of the Youth Wing and further provides that its Rules and Regulations shall be approved by the National Congress.“It is therefore concerning that the current interim NYEC structure continues to operate despite serious constitutional concerns regarding its composition and manner of establishment. There are widespread concerns among theyouth membership that: The interim committee was constituted without proper consultation with the broader Youth Wing membership and without the authority of a duly convened Youth Congress; Several members currentlyserving within the interim structure are allegedly above the prescribed youth age ceiling, thereby raising questions regarding constitutional compliance and eligibility.”Members are also concerned that there has been extensive co-option within the NYEC structure beyond what many members consider constitutionally permissible. Article 16.10 of the Party Constitution only permits co-option to fill vacancies temporarily and further limits such co-option to not more than one-third of the total membership of an organ.The continued co-option of individuals into NYEC structures without democratic endorsement is said to undermine Article 16.2, which requires all officials and organs of the Party to remain answerable to the Party membership.There is also a growing concern among members regarding the planned Youth Pitso for the Francistown region at a time when the Youth Congress itself remains outstanding.Many young democrats are of the view that Party resources should be prioritised toward the urgent organisational and electoral matters, including preparations and support for the upcoming by-election campaign.The proposed Pitso has been perceived as an avoidable expenditure when those resources could instead strengthen the Party’s electoral readiness and mobilisation efforts on the ground.BDP National Youth Executive Committee (NYEC) is dismissing allegations that there is a certain faction within the BDP that is funding the Pitso.According to Modibedi, everything they do is catered for by the party through its Secretariat.“Those are unfounded claims meant to cause anxiety among democrats. Everything is in order. The young democrats are ready, as well as the committee. We are ready to deliver a successful Youth Pitso”, Modibedi said in an interview.

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Factional fights threaten BDP Youth Pitso