Botswana President Opposes Dissenting Views, Says Ex-Ruling Party Member

A group of top officials of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has vowed to form a new party and join an opposition coalition after accusing President Ian Khama of dictatorial tendencies and resentment towards dissenting views.

24 March 2010

A group of top officials of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has vowed to form a new party and join an opposition coalition after accusing President Ian Khama of dictatorial tendencies and resentment towards dissenting views.

Sydney Pilane, a leading member of the splinter group, said President Khama’s “authoritarianism” is undermining Botswana’s democratic efforts.

“Since the current president took over, we have watched with apprehension his style of leadership. It has tended to be too military (and) too authoritarian. We have great fear that our democracy is declining at so rapid a pace we do not think that we will have much of it left in not too long a time. Our civil liberties are being eroded and the rule of law is under great risk,” he said.

Members of the splinter group known as “Barata-Phathi” include six current members of parliament and Sydney Pilane, a special advisor to ex-President Festus Mogae.

They have been expelled from the ruling BDP after accusing the party of manipulating public broadcasting and information services.

President Ian Khama is accused of resenting dissenting views within the ruling party.