Opposition activists in Botswana organized a protest against alleged election rigging by the ruling BDP, but police blocked their march to the Zimbabwean embassy. UDC representative Phenyo Butale read a petition urging no interference from Zimbabwe. The BDP has denied any collusion with Zimbabwe, while concerns about public protests and election management persist ahead of the polls.
In Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, opposition activists from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) attempted to stage a protest over the weekend prior to the upcoming general elections, scheduled for Wednesday. Their objective was to deliver a petition to the Zimbabwean embassy, expressing concerns regarding alleged collusion between the Zimbabwean government and Botswana’s ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), aimed at perpetuating the latter’s 58-year rule. However, the demonstration was thwarted by police forces, who deployed guns, batons, and shields to disperse the crowd and block access to the embassy. Despite this, UDC representative Phenyo Butale managed to read the petition, which appealed to Zimbabwe to refrain from interfering in Botswana’s electoral process. He conveyed to VOA allegations suggesting Zimbabwe intends to support the BDP in rigging the election. The BDP has been the ruling party since 1966, with President Mokgweetsi Masisi seeking a second term against three challengers. Butale expressed his discontent with the police’s reaction, asserting that the march was a legitimate exercise of their freedom of expression, a view supported by political analyst Zibani Maundeni, who observed that police actions could be interpreted as politically motivated. The BDP has firmly denied any collaboration with Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party, with ZANU-PF spokesperson Farai Marapira emphasizing their non-involvement in Botswana’s internal matters. Furthermore, issues have arisen regarding the management of early voting in Botswana, with reports of polling stations experiencing a shortage of ballots.
The political landscape in Botswana has been dominated by the BDP since its independence in 1966, leading to intense scrutiny and demands for electoral fairness. The UDC represents a coalition of opposition parties advocating for democratic practices and transparency in government. Concerns about foreign intervention, particularly in the context of Zimbabwe and its ruling party, have been a significant topic in pre-election discussions. The role of the police in regulating public protests has also come under fire, with critics alleging bias towards the ruling party, raising questions about their impartiality and commitment to upholding citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly. President Masisi, a former vice president, was elected following the conclusion of his predecessor Ian Khama’s presidency in 2018, and his administration is now facing serious challenges regarding public perception and voter engagement ahead of the elections.
In conclusion, the opposition’s attempts to protest against alleged electoral manipulations faced significant resistance from the police, raising concerns about the protection of civil liberties in Botswana. As the country approaches its general elections, the integrity of the electoral process remains under scrutiny, particularly with claims of external interference and logistical issues affecting early voting. The response of the authorities and the outcomes of the upcoming elections will be pivotal in defining Botswana’s democratic trajectory.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
