The Botswana National Front (BNF), the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the Botswana Movement for Democracy have over the last several months been negotiating a deal to form a joint front against the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
“The parties have agreed on an umbrella and are coming together pretty much in BOFEPUSU fashion,” said the source. The Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions – BOFEPUSU – recently staged an eight-week nationwide strike over salaries.
“It was really now or never and the leaders were selfless enough to realise that it needed to be done for the greater good of the nation. Come next election, we shall have just that – a choice between the BDP and the one collective,” said the source.
The three parties will meet to agree on a name for the umbrella to be used during campaigns, especially in the 2014 general elections. The formation will decide on its leadership and how the various constituencies should be shared amongst its affiliate parties.
“Quite clearly, this merger means a greater strengthening of the opposition. It means greater trust in the opposition by the nation as it now comes back to the people as one consolidated and enormously strong opposition,” said the source.
Despite the ‘good news’ leaders of the three opposition parties, including the convenor of the cooperation talks, Lebang Mpotokwane were tight-lipped about the development.”What I can say is that we continue to engage each other.
Full Article: Mmegi Online :: Opposition forms umbrella against BDP.
