Former Speaker Phandu Skelemani has urged President Boko, his Cabinet and legislators to back Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse’s push for an independent Parliament to strengthen Botswana’s democracy
SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
Former Speaker of the National Assembly Phandu Skelemani has thrown his weight behind Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse’s campaign for an independent Parliament, calling on President Duma Boko and his Cabinet to support reforms that would free the legislature from executive control.
Speaking to The Botswana Gazette on the sidelines of the official opening of Parliament’s legislative meeting this week, Skelemani said the time had come for Botswana to establish a Parliament that operates independently of the Executive, arguing that the move would strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
‘THE TIME HAS COME’
Skelemani said the debate over parliamentary independence is not new, having been discussed for decades during his time in the public service and later while serving as Speaker of the National Assembly.
He stressed that Parliament and the Executive are separate constitutional institutions with distinct responsibilities.
“It has to be made clear that government and Parliament are two different institutions,” he said.
Skelemani urged President Boko and his Cabinet to embrace the reforms championed by Keorapetse, saying an independent Parliament would enhance democratic governance rather than undermine the Executive.
CONFIDENCE IN KEORAPETSE
The former Speaker expressed confidence that Keorapetse would succeed in advancing the reforms, describing the Speaker as a long-time advocate of parliamentary autonomy.
According to Skelemani, Keorapetse consistently argued for an independent Parliament during his years as an opposition Member of Parliament, making the issue a long-standing principle rather than a recent political position.
“I have no doubt that he will succeed because this is something he has always believed in,” Skelemani said.
WARNING ON UNFULFILLED PROMISES
While supporting Parliament’s reform agenda, Skelemani cautioned lawmakers against raising public expectations they may not be able to meet.
He warned that failure to pass promised legislation before Parliament is prorogued could undermine public confidence, noting that Bills that have not completed the legislative process automatically lapse once Parliament is prorogued.
“If Parliament fails to pass promised legislation before prorogation, those Bills die, and that could disappoint voters who expected those reforms,” he said.
KEORAPETSE RENEWS CALL
Skelemani’s endorsement comes after Keorapetse used the official opening of Parliament’s legislative meeting this week to renew calls for Parliament’s institutional and financial independence.
The Speaker argued that Botswana cannot claim to have an effective system of democratic oversight while Parliament remains financially and institutionally dependent on the Executive it is constitutionally mandated to scrutinise.
Keorapetse maintained that reliance on the Executive for funding and administrative operations weakens Parliament’s oversight role and limits its ability to hold government accountable.
He argued that genuine institutional independence is essential if Parliament is to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate and strengthen Botswana’s democratic governance.