Former Botswana lawmakers on Wednesday accused former president Ian Khama of creating “national instability emanating from his unfounded appeal for sympathy from across the nation.”
The Association of Former Members of Botswana Parliament, which draws its membership from across the political divide, said in a statement that actions and utterances by the former president “are uncalled for and must be rejected by all … if we are to preserve our national peace and tranquillity that we have enjoyed over the years and have become the envy of many a nation.”
“We observe with regret that his (Khama) sympathy seeking antics are fast turning into promotion of regionalism and tribalism,” the group said.
It called upon Khama to desist from “his divisive gatherings and statements and play his role as a statesman who has enjoyed the support and recognition of Batswana during his term of office.”
Khama, who has fallen out with his chosen successor President Mokgweetsi Masisi, recently convened a meeting in his home village of Serowe in central Botswana at which he requested that he be allowed to quit the ruling Botswana Democratic Party.
KO/jn/APA