21 Sep 2017

Two years before the national elections billed for 2019, a new party has been born – Alliance for Progressives.

Alliance for Progressives is a breakaway movement from the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), which was established in 2010 by members who split from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

The formation of a new party comes following a decision by the leadership of the mother alliance, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) recommendation that suggested a power sharing agreement between the two warring factions within the BMD.

When giving a public statement dubbed ‘The Crossroads’, MP for Gaborone/Bonnington South, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe said their meeting was not meant to respond to UDC’s verdict, which suggested power-sharing between the two warring factions within the BMD, but was meant to map a way forward with regards to the impasse at BMD.

Mr Gaolathe said by recommending power sharing, they did not interpret the UDC to mean that there was any obligation on them to seek a role in the BMD. 

“We therefore will not exercise the option granted to us to take up any position on the offer at the BMD,” he said.

Mr Gaolathe further expressed that they had hoped for a congress-re-run, but increasingly the prospects for it grew dim. 

He said Alliance for Progressives members would congregate at a convention to be held at the end of October in Gaborone, to adopt and launch a new progressive formation.

He said they intended to host a series of events in the lead up to the convention, including weekly press conferences to update the public on progress including decisions by key stakeholders to endorse, support or join the formation.

He said they would open a new office and launch the movement brand including party colours, subject to the input by progressives across the country. ENDS