WINDHOEK: Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba has acknowledged that the political landscape in the country has become increasingly competitive.
This, he said, is evident from the rise of new political parties that are challenging long-established parties such as the ruling Swapo Party and SWANU of Namibia.
‘All we are appealing is that as one country, we are living in a neighbourhood that is tough. Things are not easy, it is not the usual only Swapo or SWANU things. We have some other younger parties that are aiming to win elections,’ Mbumba said at State House on Thursday.
The president made this observation during a meeting with the leadership of the South West Africa National Union (SWANU), led by their president, Evilastus Kaaronda.
He said that his meeting with leaders of the oldest political party in Namibia is part of his intention to interact with various political parties ahead of the national elections in November 2024.
Newer political parties such as the Independent Patriots for Change, the Land
less People’s Movement, and the Affirmative Repositioning movement are expected to present a greater challenge to the Swapo Party in the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, Mbumba urged political leaders to set a good example during their campaign for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
‘If a political party is participating in a democratic exercise, if leaders of that party really aspire to go to Parliament, it is a requirement that we already start behaving like people who one day will be there to make laws for the whole country… You cannot make laws in Parliament while you’re fighting in the streets. It just does not work that way,’ he said.
On his part, Kaaronda acknowledged that political parties have the responsibility to ensure political stability. He appealed for a fair electoral process, including fair and equitable coverage from State-owned media.
‘We would urge all of us, mostly our institutions responsible for elections, to be sure that we can allow all eligible people to register and
to participate in the actual voting without hindrances. And during campaigning, of course, one expects the opportunity given to all political parties especially through publicly-owned media institutions,’ Kaaronda said.
Source: The Namibia News Agency