Several opposition parties in Botswana are considering forming a political alliance in an attempt to defeat the ruling Botswana Democratic Party, which has been in power for over four decades.

Sydney Pilane, the founding member of the Botswana Movement for Democracy, tells VOA that his party is engaging in talks with three other opposition groups to form a unified party that would challenge the ruling BDP in next year's general elections.

Pilane says the umbrella group would support one presidential candidate and a common group of members of parliament in an effort to form the country's next government.

The other groups included in the coalition are the Botswana Congress Party, the Botswana National Front, and the Botswana People's Party.

President Ian Khama's ruling Botswana Democratic Party has been in power since 1965, when Botswana gained independence from Britain.