The incumbent President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has been nominated as the presidential candidate for the ruling party, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the country’s Presidential Election scheduled for October, after the unexpected withdrawal of former Foreign Minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi from the race.
Venson-Moitoi, who had the support of former president Ian Kharma after his falling out with Masisi, alleged that the party’s primaries had been rigged beforehand. This accusation was contained in a statement announcing her withdrawal, just hours before party members were meant to cast their votes in a bid to select the party’s candidate.
“I withdraw from running because I will not promote a sham. The elections have been rigged before voting started, contesting would be legitimizing a flawed process,” she said while addressing journalists on Friday.
Her bid for the party’s presidential nomination ticket was the first time in the party’s history since it took power after the country gained independence 57 years ago, that a presidential incumbent had been challenged.
Speculations had been made concerning the effect her bid could have on the party, with some believing it could lead to a rift within the party and its eventual division.
Masisi, who was once the country’s vice president, came into power about a year ago after former president Ian Kharma, selected him as his replacement.
However, the mentorship and relationship between Masisi and his predecessor turned sour recently, when Masisi reversed some of the policies Kharma had introduced during his tenure, which caused Kharma to throw his support behind Venson-Moitoi and accuse Masisi of being a traitor.
In his acceptance speech obtained by The Citizen, Masisi who was unopposed thanked the party’s delegates for entrusting him with its ticket promising to “do my utmost best… to lead this party not only to victory in 2019, (but also) in 2024.”
He also declared his intention to reach out and work with Venson-Moitoi after his win.
This will be Masisi’s first election and first term if he wins as Botswana’s constitution permits two terms for a selected leader.
