6 November 2009
editorial
Parliament will soon resume business. MPs who only a few weeks ago were candidates canvassing for votes are now where they aspired to be.
We would like to advise them on the pivotal role they have chosen to play in the development of this country.
There are a number of issues this Parliament should tackle without much procrastination. The Botswana Constitution remains a major impediment to the realisation of true democratic practice. The recent Motswaledi versus Khama case should have clarified to every citizen the kind of dilemma we are in as a nation. Our Constitution has given unlimited powers to the President and these need to be curtailed for the common good of the country and Executive. Blanket immunity, as recently declared by the Appeals Court, cannot be good for our young democracy.
In fact, we cannot continue to claim to have the best democratic system in the region unless we work to improve on what we already have. Presidentialism is the first port of call for this movement towards a more democratic Botswana. But it will take real courage for MPs from across the political divide to usher in the necessary amendments that will remove the current shackles around the ankles and pulling the nation back.
Secondly, the coming Parliament needs to advocate for the strengthening of the House so it can play a much meaningful role in government. This means MPs should first of all fight for more parliamentary autonomy. Parliament must be de-linked from the Executive. This can be done by shaking the very roots of this nation - the Constitution itself.
This brings us to the state of parties. The BDP is in turmoil. The President seems to be hell bent on having his way. He is impatient with parliamentary debates and he would rather laws and policies were passed at a faster pace. The Executive branch itself is now a giant that can barely be controlled by Parliament in its current state. Now combined with Cabinet, the Presidency threatens to crush everything that stands in its way. But MPs, including BDP legislators, can help stop this descent into autocracy. If they have the courage to put country before any other interest they can do it. The opposition has its work cut out as well. The petty squabbles between the Botswana National Front and Botswana Congress Party must not be allowed to derail the potential for a much more cohesive opposition voice in the National Assembly.
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