This article analyses the 2010 split of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), and makes three arguments. First, it argues that BDP leader, and president of Botswana, Ian Khama formented the split in order to silence the Barata-Phathi faction, which had started to question some of his policies. Secondly, the article argues that the split was linked to the succession struggle within the BDP. In particular, Khama sought to neutralize the Barata-Phathi so that he could impose a successor without resistance from this faction. Finally, the article argues that the Constitution of Botswana, particularly the presidential immunity clause, facilitated the split. As state president, Khama could not be held accountable for his actions within the BDP, thus denying Gomolemo Motswaledi and the Barata-Phathi justice when the latter challenged Khama’s decision to suspend him from the BDP. Denied judicial redress, and their Kanye victory neutralized, the Barata-Phathi had no option but to quit the BDP and form the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) which later joined the Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana People’s Party (BPP) to form the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Projects

Currently no objects available

Currently no objects available