Botswana Patriotic Front

The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is a populist political party in Botswana formed in July 2019 by members of the Botswana Democratic Party who split from the party because of a high-profile rivalry between former President Ian Khama and Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Botswana Patriotic Front
LeaderMephato Reatile
ChairpersonOboetswe Gabotlale
General SecretaryTshekedi Khama
FoundedJuly 2019
Split fromBotswana Democratic Party
IdeologyPopulism[1]
Political positionBig tent
National affiliationUmbrella for Democratic Change
National Assembly
4 / 65
Pan African Parliament
0 / 5
Election symbol
Website
www.bpf-party.co.bw
Politics of Botswana
Constitution
Government
Parliament
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations

History

The party was officially launched in July 2019 as a split from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).[2] It was backed by former president and BDP leader Ian Khama after he left the party.[3]

In the October 2019 general elections the party received 4.3% of the vote and won three seats, all in Khama's home area of Central District – Tshekedi Khama II elected in Serowe West, Leepetswe Lesedi in Serowe South and Baratiwa Mathoothe in Serowe North. However, party leader Biggie Butale failed to be elected in Tati West.[4]

On 6 August 2022 the BPF joined the Umbrella for Democratic Change alliance, uniting all opposition parties in the National Assembly except the Alliance for Progressives.[5]

Election results

National Assembly
Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Status
2019 Biggie Butale 34,028 4.41%
3 / 63
 New Increase 3rd Opposition

References
  1. Ntshingane, Bakang (16 August 2019). "Is populism surging into Botswana politics?". Mmegi. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  2. "Botswana Patriotic Front ready for official launch". Daily News. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  3. "Khama officially quits BDP as new party is confirmed". Sunday Standard. 26 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  4. "Botswana Patriotic Front president loses constituency". EWN. 24 October 2019.
  5. ""BPF is a member of UDC" – Mohwasa". Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
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