Botswana's President Ian Khama
AFP
GABORONE — Three top members of Botswana's ruling party are set to form a rival faction, officials said Tuesday, accusing President Ian Khama of undermining democracy with his heavy-handed leadership.
The new grouping would be the first to split away from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has ruled this diamond-rich southern African nation since independence from Britain in 1966.
The three dissidents were suspended from the party last week, after they sided with the opposition in objecting to Khama's decision to unilaterally appoint four special lawmakers meant to be named by the ruling party.
Khama, a former military boss and the son of Botswana's founding father, has come under criticism for his autocratic style but still led the party to another landslide victory in the October polls.
Sydney Pilane, who was an adviser to former president Festus Mogae, was among the three suspended. He said talks were underway to prepare for a breakaway party.
"The rule of law is also under serious threats and we have to ensure that it is restored as a matter of urgency," Pilane told AFP.
He could not say when the party would be launched, indicating that they would draw up a draft constitution first.
The ruling BDP's central committee denounced the move and ordered the dissidents and six parliamentarians who support them to leave the party.
The BDP won 45 seats in the 61-member parliament during last year's elections. The splintered opposition currently holds 12 seats.
AFP
