Unlike in some other African countries, Botswana’s political opposition was never outlawed after independence in 1966. However, the opposition has suffered internal instability that we argue prevented it from dislodging the incumbent Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power. This article argues that internal instability within the opposition Botswana National Front (BNF) was primarily tied to the absence of clear party rules, to incumbent leaders who personalised party power and sought to choose their own successors and refused to compromise with internal rivals. The article also argues that internal stability in the ruling Botswana Democratic Party was tied to a culture of adhering to party rules, enabling smooth change of leaders, mutuality between rival factions and mutual compromises between internal rivals.