Botswana Democratic Party

From Free net encyclopedia

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• President
  • Festus Mogae
• Vice-President
  • Seretse Ian Khama
• Parliament
  • House of Chiefs
  • National Assembly
• Political parties
• Elections: 2004
• Foreign relations

Template:Politicsboxend The Botswana Democratic Party is the governing conservative party in Botswana, led by president Festus Mogae. At the last election, the party won 51.7% of popular votes and 44 out of 57 seats. Before independence it was known as the Bechuanaland Democratic Party. In the first general elections in 1965 it won 28 of 31 seats. Since independence it has been in power continuously.

The party's base is in the traditional Setswana communities, and it was sometimes referred to as "the Chief's party" (referring to Sir Seretse Khama). The BDP is pro-Western, and it has been accused of accepting money from the United States and diamond mining interests during political campaigns. Its supporters believe that the party has provided stability (Botswana has never experienced a coup or civil war), democratic rule and a moderately high level of development compared to some other countries in southern Africa. Currently its leader, Festus Mogae is president of Botswana.

However, since 1997 the party's support has been declining largely due to the declining living standards in Botswana, and faces an uncertain future in the next(2009) general elections. Recent media polls have shown that a good number of citizens, particularly the youth are turning their support to opposition parties.The vice president Lt. Ian Khama (The son of former president Sir Seretse Khama) was brought in from the army command to add strength to the party ahead of 1999 general elections. Currently the party is ridden by factions and observers predict that unless discipline is instilled, the party will split. One faction (calling itself Barata-Phathi) is led by Ponatshego Kedikilwe and Secretary General Daniel Kwelagobe, while the dorminant faction(calling itself The A Team) is led by cabinet ministers Jacob Nkate and Mompati Merafhe.'The A team' was formerly led by President Festus Mogae and His Vice Lt. Ian Khama. Both of them have since pulled out from leading factions eventhough they are still members of 'The A Team'.

BDP will be best remembered for inheriting a very poor Botswana from the colonizers (in 1966) and turning it into one of the fastest developing countries in the world, and for advocating for peace and stability in a continent destroyed by wars.

Notable members:

• Ponatshego Kedikilwe
• Sir Seretse Khama
• Sir Quett Masire
• Festus Mogae
• Ian Khama

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