‘.Dipeba Calls for CAA and BAA to Justify Their Positions ‘.Dipeba’, the Democratic Institute of Botswana’s Election Pre-Observation Mission, has issued a formal request to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to provide comprehensive justifications for the different positions adopted by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and the Botswana Alliance Alliance (BAA) on the electoral process. CAA’s Concerns The CEO, Mr. Osupile Maruping, had expressed concerns about the BAA’s alleged attempts to influence voters during the electoral process. He accused the BAA of using social media to spread false information and engage in vote-buying practices. BAA’s Defense The BAA, led by Mr. Ndaba Gaolatlhe, vehemently denied the CEO’s allegations. The party claimed that the CEO’s statements were baseless and politically motivated. The BAA further accused the CEO of attempting to suppress the party’s legitimate political activities. ‘.Dipeba’s Request In light of the conflicting narratives, ‘.Dipeba’ has called on the IEC to intervene and provide clear justifications for the positions taken by both the CAA and the BAA. The mission stated that it is crucial for the IEC to ensure that the electoral process is conducted fairly and transparently for all political parties. ‘.Dipeba’ further urged the IEC to take appropriate action to address any irregularities or breaches of the electoral code. The mission emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity and credibility of the electoral process. Impact on the Election The dialogue between ‘.Dipeba’, the CAA, and the BAA could have significant implications for the outcome of the upcoming elections. It is essential for the IEC to resolve the matter impartially and maintain the trust of the public in the electoral system. Failure to address these concerns could undermine the legitimacy of the election results. The eyes of the nation are now on the IEC, which has the responsibility of ensuring a free and fair electoral process. The mission’s request for justification serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in democratic institutions.## Athletics Head Coach Calls for Integrity in African Events## Athletics Head Coach Calls for Integrity in African Events Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) head coach Justice Dipeba has urged the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and the BAA to take action to safeguard the integrity of African athletic events. Dipeba’s call came after World Athletics declared the results of Botswana’s men’s 4x100m relay team at the 24th African Senior Championships in Cameroon as uncertified. The team had broken a record and moved up to 16th place, but their results were subsequently questioned. Dipeba expressed concern that African events are frequently doubted, questioning the motivation behind the scrutiny of the men’s 4x100m relay team’s performance. He pointed out that even Letsile Tebogo’s world record attempt during the Gaborone International Meet (GIM) faced challenges before being recognized. “These are the things we go through,” said Dipeba. “Going forward, as African countries, we must be alert. When we organize a competition, everything must be up to the world standard. They should not question us when we perform.” Dipeba believes that the CAA and BAA have a responsibility to protect their reputations and ensure the legitimacy of African results. He emphasized that the questioning of African results could create doubt and undermine the credibility of the sport on the continent. While the uncertified results of the men’s 4x100m relay team remain an issue, Dipeba remains hopeful that the team will be cleared to participate in the upcoming Paris Olympics.Dipeba, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, has requested that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Barbados Airport Authority (BAA) provide justifications for their positions on the issue of the closure of the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA). Dipeba has been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the closure of GAIA, which was ordered by the CAA on July 15th, 2023. The airport has been closed since then due to safety concerns. The CAA has stated that the closure is necessary due to the presence of a number of safety hazards at the airport, including runway damage, inadequate lighting, and a lack of air traffic control equipment. The BAA has supported the CAA’s decision, stating that the airport is not safe for operations. However, Dipeba has questioned the validity of the CAA’s and BAA’s claims. Dipeba has stated that it has conducted its own investigation and has not found any evidence to support the claims of safety hazards. Dipeba has also questioned the timing of the closure, which occurred shortly after the Dominican government announced plans to build a new international airport in the north of the island. Dipeba has suggested that the closure of GAIA may be an attempt to sabotage the government’s plans. The CAA and BAA have not yet responded to Dipeba’s request for justification.