Martin Endjala
Internal divisions within the National Democratic Unity Organisation (Nudo) are expected to escalate this year as the party prepares for local authority elections scheduled for November. The ongoing factional battles have already delayed key processes, including the party’s congress and the selection of a presidential candidate in last year’s presidential elections.
The party obtained one seat in the National Assembly. It currently has two seats occupied by the party president, Esther Muinjangue and secretary general, Joseph Kauandenge.
Infighting prevented the party from holding its elective congress last year, leading to its postponement to May this year.
A faction under the leadership of Barry Rukoro is at odds with the party’s current leadership.
Muinjangue, last year, announced that she has no intention to run for the party leadership position.
On Thursday, Kauandenge announced his exit from parliament.
“Only two months left for me to exit being a member of parliament and to go do other important things in life,” he said.
Kauandenge described his time in the 7th National Assembly as a privilege.
“My name will be written in the history books that I was there one day,” he said.
Political analyst Erika Thomas warned that Nudo risks missing out on the November elections if its factions fail to find common ground.
“Those who are long in the party should man up and bring order for the benefit of the party as a whole if they do not want to be led by Rukoro. Otherwise, they must compromise,” she said.
Another analyst, Ndumba Kamwanya, cautioned that the party’s poor performance in 2024 could be repeated if the leadership does not address its internal crisis.
“There is a crisis in Nudo because everyone wants to be a leader. They have no leader able to unify them,” he stated.
Kamwanya urged the party to reflect on its foundational values and use the lessons from last year to rebuild unity.
“The party ideas are bigger than individual issues, egos and goals. Hence, the party’s survival depends on compromise,” he stated.
