Botswana’s Opposition Protest Stifled by Police Amid Election Rigging Allegations
Opposition activists in Botswana protested in Gaborone against alleged election rigging with supposed Zimbabwean government support for the ruling party. They were prevented from reaching the Zimbabwean embassy by police using force. UDC representative Phenyo Butale asserted that they possess credible evidence of collusion. The ruling BDP denied these allegations. Vote management issues have also arisen ahead of the elections.
Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, witnessed a significant opposition protest over the weekend, as activists mobilized ahead of the national elections scheduled for Wednesday. The demonstration, organized by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), aimed to deliver a petition to the Zimbabwean embassy. This petition expressed concerns that Zimbabwe is allegedly collaborating with Botswana’s ruling party to manipulate election outcomes. However, the protesters were met with robust resistance from the police, who obstructed their march and cordoned off various streets, compelling the demonstrators to disperse before they could reach their intended destination. Despite the failed attempt to present the petition, UDC representative Phenyo Butale articulated the group’s grievances, insisting the petition implored Zimbabwe to refrain from meddling in Botswana’s electoral process. Mr. Butale asserted that they had received credible intelligence suggesting Zimbabwe might assist the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed since Botswana’s independence in 1966, in orchestrating electoral fraud during the upcoming elections. President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the BDP candidate seeking re-election for a second term, will face competition from three challengers. Mr. Butale stated, “We decided to march to the Zimbabwe Embassy because we have been receiving credible information that there is an attempt by the Zimbabwean government to assist their friends here, the ruling party in Botswana, through clandestine means.” He further elucidated that the police’s forceful intervention was unwarranted, as they revised the interpretation of legal requirements concerning permits for public demonstrations, emphasizing that such permits should be aimed at ensuring safety rather than granting permission to exercise their right to free expression. The police maintained that a permit is mandatory for any demonstration to proceed, while political analyst Professor Zibani Maundeni from the University of Botswana indicated that the police’s actions could be construed as politically motivated. He remarked, “The police have to be a neutral body. If people organize a peaceful demonstration, there is no reason it should be stopped. In many countries in the region, the police have been a problem, acting in favor of the ruling party.” The BDP has dismissed allegations of collusion with Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF party, while ZANU-PF spokesperson Farai Marapira categorized the opposition’s claims as baseless, declaring, “We do not interfere in the internal activities of any other country. We respect the electoral processes in different countries… This is just absurd and an insult to ZANU-PF and an insult to the people of Botswana themselves.” Additionally, reports have surfaced criticizing the management of early voting in Botswana, including incidents of polling stations lacking sufficient ballot papers. President Masisi, a former vice president, assumed office in 2018 following his predecessor Ian Khama’s departure and was subsequently elected in 2019 for a full term.
The political landscape in Botswana has been shaped by the longstanding dominance of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has been in power since the country gained independence in 1966. As the nation approaches its general elections, opposition parties, particularly the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), are increasingly vocal about perceived irregularities and external influences on the electoral process. Allegations of interference from neighboring Zimbabwe have intensified amidst concerns over the fairness and integrity of the upcoming elections. The situation is further complicated by criticisms regarding the conduct of early voting and adequate facilitation of the electoral process, raising questions about governance and the rule of law in Botswana.
The botched opposition protest in Gaborone underscores rising tensions in Botswana as the nation prepares for critical elections. Claims of interference from Zimbabwe and allegations of police bias towards the ruling party spotlight the challenges facing opposition movements within the country. While the ruling BDP maintains its innocence regarding collusion with foreign entities, the concerns raised by opposition figures and political analysts highlight a significant distrust in the electoral processes as Botswana proceeds to vote.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
