Masisi, Khama feud gets out of control, national unity at risk
Political Analyst cautions over Botswana’s fragile state
It is unfortunate Bangwato are involved in political wars -Analyst
BDP, BPF divide GaMmangwato bogosi
BAKANG TIRO
editors@thepatriot.co.bw
A University of Botswana (UB) political analyst, Mokaloba Mokaloba has warned that the ongoing feud between former President Ian Khama and the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DIS) has the potential to divide the country along North and South regions.
Mokaloba opines that the current involvement of Bangwato in tribal politics, fighting government in support of their paramount chief Ian Khama, who is not good for the nation. He said Botswana is currently in a fragile state due to unfolding current political developments. “The tribal politics is surfacing once again now as it has been the issue earlier between the late Kgosikgolo of Bangwaketse Kgosi Seepapitso IV and former president Festus Mogae. Now it is between Khama and President Mokgweetsi Masisi which is a feud which has been at play for a long time. It is very important for Masisi to keep to his promise of sending a task force to deal with the Bangwato grievances. The promise he made at the kgotla meeting in Serowe recently,” he said.
Mokaloba lamented that it is unfortunate that a whole tribe is dragged into a political feud they do not necessarily understand as it is unfolding. This, he said, is very dangerous as it can set the country into politics of hate based on tribalism.
He noted that it would be helpful that the current feud between Khama and DIS does not boil over as that could be negative for the country, adding that is very dangerous for peace and stability.
Bogosi divided
The deepening political rivalry between Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and its splinter party, Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is at play at the center of divisions that are rocking Bogosi in the GaMmangwato territory, with Bangwato Regent Sediegeng Kgamane is backed by some Dikgosi.
Information turned up by this publication is that Dikgosi are divided between the matter of the Bangwato Paramount Chief Ian Khama and the government as fuelled by the BPF- BDP politics.
It is said some of the Dikgosi in GaMmangwato have blatantly supported the under trouble Kgosi Kgamane who have been petitioned last week, being accused of being silent when their Kgosi Kgolo and former president Khama who is currently not in the country is being tormented by the government.
Sources intimate that Bangwato Regent Kgamane has been assured support by some of the BDP officials who met him in a closed door meeting with one of cabinet ministers present in a meeting.
The disgruntled Bangwato requested that a delegation be sent to Masisi to demand answers on the tiff between government and Khama so as to establish the tiff behind Masisi and Khama war.
Last week, Bangwato slapped Kgamane with petition accusing him of being silent regarding the feud between Khama and Masisi hence demanding answers over why Khama is being persecuted.
Kgamane intervenes
The petitioned Bangwato regent Kgosi Sidiegeng Kgamane on Wednesday, while addressing a kgotla meeting in Serowe, told the tribe that Khama is doing well. He said Khama will address Bangwato upon his return from a private visit to South Africa. The Bangwato regent urged the tribe to remain calm and not resort to violence.
According to Mokaloba, Khama should face the wrath of law through the courts of in a fair way. “Khama should face the wrath of the law not through direct persecution of the DIS. HE Khama should be subjected to court of law fairly. The DIS under Khama persecuted opposite political agents and it is seems to be same with Masisi. Having a country divided on tribal lines as it is very dangerous,” said Mokaloba adding that the Masisi- Khama feud needs prompt addressing.
Mokaloba opined that the country is at a fragile situation hence there is a need for a concrete solutions to deal with the feud between Masisi and Khama as it is today getting out of control. Tensions have been boiling higher ever since Khama skipped the country over claims that he is in possession of weapons of war, hence the DIS embarking on searching of his properties all over.
To that end, Khama together with his loyalists’ accusse the DIS of harassment but the DIS on the other hand remained resolute that it is not harassing him but executes searches in a lawful way.