INTERNATIONAL election observers have started arriving in Botswana to monitor the nation’s general election, scheduled for October 30. On Tuesday, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) officially launched its observer mission, calling for peaceful and democratic elections.
The SADC mission is led by Mizengo Pinda, former prime minister of Tanzania. He emphasised that the mission aligns with the regional bloc’s commitment to promoting democratic processes in member states. ‘Our first priority is to assess how well-prepared the country is for the election. So far, it seems Botswana has made adequate preparations,’ Pinda stated. ‘However, we also need to ensure that peace prevails throughout the electoral process.’
SADC’s role and limitations
The SADC has faced criticism for its previous observations, particularly after endorsing controversial elections in Zimbabwe and Mozambique as free and fair, despite reported irregularities. This has led to scepticism from some opposition parties about the neutrality of the organisation’s missions.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi clarified the bloc’s role, noting that their reports are advisory and not legally binding. ‘SADC’s recommendations are not enforced with a carrot-and-stick approach,’ Magosi explained. ‘We urge member states to abide by our principles and guidelines, but it’s up to them to implement those recommendations.’
If serious electoral transgressions are identified, Magosi added, the issue can be escalated to the SADC summit, where heads of state from the region meet annually to deliberate on significant matters. ‘In severe cases, the SADC secretariat can bring issues before the summit for further consideration,’ he noted.
Opposition scepticism and concerns
The SADC observer mission’s launch saw limited attendance from political parties, with opposition groups expressing doubts about the mission’s impartiality. Phenyo Butale of the Alliance for Progressives, part of the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change, voiced concerns over the SADC’s effectiveness.
‘We chose not to attend the launch because we don’t have confidence in SADC’s ability to provide fair assessments,’ Butale said. ‘They gave a negative report on Zimbabwe’s recent elections but ultimately allowed it to pass. We need clarity on what happened with that report before engaging with them.’
Botswana government’s response
Botswana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Lemogang Kwape, assured that international observers would be free to carry out their duties without interference. ‘Botswana is an open country, and we welcome observers to every corner. We encourage them to interact with people and make independent observations,’ Kwape stated.
Observers from the Commonwealth and African Union have also arrived in Botswana to oversee the election process. They were in place for last Saturday’s advance voting, which was conducted for poll workers, soldiers, and police officers ahead of the main election day.
Looking ahead
With election day approaching, the presence of international observers is seen as critical to ensuring transparency and credibility. However, tensions remain high, with opposition parties concerned about potential election rigging. As Botswana prepares for this crucial vote, the eyes of both domestic and international communities are focused on ensuring a peaceful and fair electoral process.
