Swapo’s unity headache
As Swapo battles to recover following a bruising 2017 elective congress, where in the run-up President Hage Geingob explicitly said he can only work with his slate, the party faces the very real possibility of going into the 2019 elections divided.
This has implications for a party that has swept all before it in previous polls since independence.
Still unfolding on various platforms is a bitter battle between so-called Team Harambee and Team Swapo supporters, and as Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa mentioned at a media conference this week, this does not augur well for the ruling party.
However, while announcing the dates for an extraordinary party congress, which will take place from 30 November to 1 December at the Ramatex complex in Windhoek, Shaningwa also bared her teeth.
Echoing the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila that Swapo parliamentarians critical of government policies will be dealt with, Shaningwa said the party has a right to recall those who “misbehave”.
She did, however, say that veteran leader Nahas Angula, who has written a number of critical opinion pieces, has the right to express his views, but added those who have issues with the way things are being done should perhaps rather address their concerns in the appropriate structures, such as the central committee or politburo.
It has long been a criticism of the current Swapo administration that they do not take kindly to dissent, and often move swiftly to smother it.
While the shifting sands of politics may not be enough to severely dent a sweeping Swapo victory next year, it remains to be seen whether the ongoing factionalism may impact the presidential vote, and to a lesser degree those being voted in as MPs. A sad indictment of opposition politics is that it is also wracked by a severe lack of common positions, while leaders cling to their status as so-called party presidents. This, if unresolved, will again see Swapo laughing as it passes the election finish line next year with a wide victory margin.
This has implications for a party that has swept all before it in previous polls since independence.
Still unfolding on various platforms is a bitter battle between so-called Team Harambee and Team Swapo supporters, and as Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa mentioned at a media conference this week, this does not augur well for the ruling party.
However, while announcing the dates for an extraordinary party congress, which will take place from 30 November to 1 December at the Ramatex complex in Windhoek, Shaningwa also bared her teeth.
Echoing the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila that Swapo parliamentarians critical of government policies will be dealt with, Shaningwa said the party has a right to recall those who “misbehave”.
She did, however, say that veteran leader Nahas Angula, who has written a number of critical opinion pieces, has the right to express his views, but added those who have issues with the way things are being done should perhaps rather address their concerns in the appropriate structures, such as the central committee or politburo.
It has long been a criticism of the current Swapo administration that they do not take kindly to dissent, and often move swiftly to smother it.
While the shifting sands of politics may not be enough to severely dent a sweeping Swapo victory next year, it remains to be seen whether the ongoing factionalism may impact the presidential vote, and to a lesser degree those being voted in as MPs. A sad indictment of opposition politics is that it is also wracked by a severe lack of common positions, while leaders cling to their status as so-called party presidents. This, if unresolved, will again see Swapo laughing as it passes the election finish line next year with a wide victory margin.
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