Election by acclamation not democratic – analyst 

Ester Mbathera 

Political commentators and analysts have criticised Swapo’s recent extraordinary congress for electing Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as party president by acclamation.

Nandi-Ndaitwah was elected unopposed last Saturday, a move that has sparked debate about the party’s internal democratic processes.

Stephanus Pombili, a party member and analyst, defended the decision, stating that electing Nandi-Ndaitwah by acclamation was intended to prevent infighting, division, and the emergence of dual centres of power within the party.

“These two centres of power harness sabotage and political uncertainty within the party and the country. The party president could advance for impeachment if he controls the majority of the party’s National Assembly members. Thus, the two centres of power are dangerous and represent a very unpatriotic political move because of the sabotage and expulsion that take place,” he said.

He added that Swapo is following the example of other liberation movements in the region, such as the ANC in South Africa, MPLA in Angola, Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe, and Chama Cha Mapinduzi in Tanzania.

The only party in the region whose leader is not the head of state is FRELIMO of Mozambique, whose secretary general, Daniel Francisco Chapo, is the current head of state. 

“The African revolution does not support two centres of power; we must avoid it,” he said.

The extraordinary meeting of the Swapo central committee in March 2024 resolved that Nandi-Ndaitwah would contest the position without opposition. 

This decision was reaffirmed again by the central committee in February.

Political commentator Ben Mulongeni questioned the democratic integrity of the process by electing a president by acclamation. 

“The way they did it, they did it. Even a blind or the smallest grade-one child could see that something is wrong here. They could have pretended to be democratic, transparent and fair,” he said.

Mulongeni acknowledged Nandi-Ndaitwah’s qualifications and leadership qualities but criticised the lack of democratic procedures.

“The only thing about her climbing the ladder is not being done in a good manner. There is no question about her credentials. She qualifies. She has been a leader all her life. She just needs to do things democratically and fairly,” he said.

He added that freezing the position of vice president is tantamount to dictatorship.

“The position is practically not vacant. It’s like the same person is occupying the leadership, only because technically you are saying now she’s the president. But it is not vacant. She’s there. The only transformation is in terms of name because of the title president. But if there is no vice president, it means she’s copying it. Philosophically, she occupies both positions. Nobody is going to advise her, she advises herself because the vice president normally advises the president,” he said.

He added that she was practically the head of the party when President Hage Geingob died because she was then the one chairing the party meetings. 

“It doesn’t say much about her personality. Blocking or advising to block other members from positions. It’s not good leadership,” he said. 

Political analyst Sakaria Johannes echoed these concerns, saying the process was not in line with Swapo’s constitution.

“It’s the rule of men. There’s a rule of men and there’s a rule of law. In terms of the rule of men, things just happen exactly like acclamation and whatever was happening at the Swapo party’s congress,” he said.

Johannes added that the endorsement of Nandi-Ndaitwah was also not democratic, not even within the party’s constitution. 

“If you look at the rule of law, elections were supposed to be held for the replacement of the late Geingob. Historically, from 1990, we have seen that the presidents have endorsed their successors. But which article of Swapo says people should be endorsed by the president? It’s a culture now within Swapo,” he said.

Johannes questioned the endorsement of Nandi-Ndaitwah and the freezing of the vice president position.

“You want to tell us that they are not qualified people in your party, or do you want to tell us that you are not ready, or who are you keeping that post for? What are the implications that are there?” he asked. 

Another political analyst, Marius Kudomo, suggested that freezing the vice president position is an internal decision of the party. 

“One assumes that the party has considered all implications, including unintended public interpretation of the decision and adherence to the values and principles of constitutionalism. Party structures could take similar actions in the future, as practices, if not intelligently and coherently explained, could become policies and the norm,” he said.

At the congress, Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa revealed that the late Founding President Sam Nujoma, in a statement read on his behalf at the central committee meeting, had urged the party leadership to ensure Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election as president. 

“The central committee unanimously accepted the submission of our late founding president, as we collectively believe that it is indeed the right thing to do. In this regard, the report of the central committee had been presented to the 6th extraordinary congress and was adopted without any objections,” she said.