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The ANC Youth League emphatically disagrees with the ANC Spokesperson’s approach on the Botswana question and very disappointed with the manner in which Cde Jackson Mthembu handled the matter. In true ANC tradition, internal discussions and consultations should be exhausted before any public condemnation is made for whatsoever reason. In true principle oforganisational democracy, which guide the ANC and its relationship to the ANC Youth League, public condemnation just do not happen, particularly on political issues that require discussions.

As a progressive movement, the ANC has never shied away from progressive internationalism, which include openly associating with progressive formations across the world and practically opposing tendencies that uphold values opposed tothose of the ANC. That is why in Polokwane ANC 52nd National Conference resolved that, “Party-to-Party relations amongst former liberation movements like SWAPO, MPLA, FRELIMO, ZANU PF, PAIGC, CCM, SPLM/A, etc, must be prioritised by the ANC and meetings and structured support of the former liberation movements in the region must be pursued”. The Conference further resolved that “A deliberate effort be made to strengthen relations with all progressive and like-mindedparties in the region, continent and the world”.

The 3rd National General Council of the ANC said that “That the ANC continues to be the strategic centre of power, the leader of the Alliance, a disciplined force of the left, and a mass movement with an internationalist and an anti-imperialist outlook”. Building on this foundation and critical principles of the ANC, the ANC Youth League takes a practical programme of liberating the people of Botswana from imperialist dominance. All evidence points out very clear that the pronouncements and policy positions of the BDP led Botswana government openly embrace imperialism and a potential security threat to the entire African continent.

The ANC Youth League does not believe that our position on Botswana and the approach is inconsistent with ANC policy outlook, and the public condemnation by ANC Spokesperson Jackson Mthembu does not help to clarify this position. If there is anything inconsistent with ANC Policy directives, it is leaders of the ANC who associated with imperialist controlled political parties like MDC in Zimbabwe and BDP in Botswana. The ANC Youth League is concerned that strange ideological trends and political relations are being established for convenience, and this has potential to undermine the integrity of the ANC as a National Liberation Movement.

The resolution of the ANC YL National Executive Committee on the Botswana Command Team stands until there is discussion with ANC Constitutional structures on what should be the approach to the Botswana question. The ANC Youth League is also inspired that our continental and world youth formations are fully behind the approach of the ANC Youth League to the Botswana question.