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AFRICA NEWS
The ruling party, Botswana, on Friday introduced President Mokgweetsi Masisi in the October general election, after his rival left the race at the eleventh hour.
This is the first time in the history of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has run the country since independence more than half a century ago, that the outgoing president faced a challenger.
Former Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi withdrew her candidacy a few hours before a vote by party members, denouncing the process as a "sham".
Now without opposition, Masisi should be elected president in national elections in October, facing a fragmented opposition.
In his acceptance speech, Masisi promised to "do his best … to lead this party not only to victory in 2019 (but also) in 2024".
"Thank you for your support," he told delegates at the party meeting.
Botswana has a presidential term of two terms. Masisi has replaced Ian Khama as head of the country last year, after being chosen by hand, but will participate in his first election this year. If he wins, his first official term will start then.
Masisi praised Venson-Moitoi's "gallant and lively campaign" and urged party members to "adopt the democratic practice of competition".
He vowed to reach out to Venson-Moitoi "and ask him to join me in uniting this party."
About 1,000 delegates attended a two-day meeting in the small rural town of Kang, located in the Kalahari Desert, 400 km northwest of the capital Gaborone.
BDP congresses have traditionally been rubber stamps for the incumbent's candidacy for re-election.
It was to be feared that the unprecedented challenge between Venson-Moitoi and a sitting president would upset party stability and even lead to a split.
Venson-Moitoi, who had Khama's support, boycotted the party congress.
"I am retiring from the race because I will not promote it artificially," she told reporters at her farm in Kang City on Friday morning.
"This election was rigged before the start of (vote). To compete will legitimize an imperfect process, "she said.
The 57-year-old BDP has been running Botswana continuously since independence in 1966, presiding over a diamond-driven prosperity that stands out on a continent of poverty and turbulence.
Masisi and ex-president Khama – who also held Congress away on Friday – clashed publicly, Masisi canceling some policies presented by his predecessor.
The gap between Masisi and his predecessor was laid bare last month when Khama accused his protege of treason.
Khama had chosen his then Vice President, Masisi, to succeed him.
But Masisi decided to break with the past and establish his own authority since his inauguration a year ago.
In an interview with the neighboring SABC public broadcaster in South Africa, Khama said he regretted having chosen Masisi to follow him.
"He had a nature, a character to whom I felt very close and of which I was a part. What I see now is a totally different person from the one I knew, "said Khama.
"Unfortunately and very sadly … I eventually realized that I had perhaps misjudged him and that we are now in a situation where there is a certain stalemate between him and me. "
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