Editorial: Good For Our Democracy
BOTH fans or foes of incumbent President Sam Nujoma should all agree that both he and the ruling party's Politburo and Central Committee must be commended for ending the uncertainty about a fourth term, and allowing commitment to our country's Constitution to be placed above politics.
The decision of the Politburo, endorsed by the Central Committee
last weekend, to put forward three new candidates for the
Presidency, is a commendable one.
It shows signs of growing political maturity in Swapo, and above
all, a solid commitment to our Constitution.
It should be emphasised that the decision in no way exhibits an
anti-Nujoma bias.
It has less to do with the incumbent than with the democratic
principle that opposes the presidents-for-life scenario that has
adversely characterised so much of the African continent.
President Nujoma's place in history is not negatively affected
by the Party's reluctance to consider a fourth term.
Quite the contrary.
It is enhanced instead.
His contribution to our country's liberation is
unquestioned.
Likewise his leadership in the first 15 years of Namibia's
Independence is there for all to see.
This does not of course mean that we have always agreed with the
Head of State, for we have not.
There have been several occasions when we have questioned his
management of various aspects of governance; but we have also given
praise where it is due.
Overall, in his fifteen years in office (for this is what it
will be once his term expires next year), Namibia has seen - if not
economic advancement - then certainly overall stability and
peace.
In many ways this fact underscores the argument of many who
advocated a change to the Constitution and a fourth term for Nujoma
- that under his rule stability would continue.
Seen against the background of our Constitution - with its
two-term limit for very obvious reasons - that argument does not
wash at all.
Change does not necessarily mean instability.
In fact we are certain that whoever emerges victorious from the
Swapo Congress later this month, will likewise share their
predecessor's commitment to peace and stability.
Many of the electorate in Namibia probably do not fully grasp
what has happened, perhaps seeing sinister implications in the fact
that Nujoma is not staying on.
It is the duty of ruling party politicians and the President in
particular, to explain that we have chosen a democratic route
forward and that presidential succession is an important part of
this process.
The decision against a fourth term having been taken - and this
represents a big step forward - we trust that the campaigning for
presidential succession will also be played out at a mature level -
also in the interests of our democracy and continued stability.
We would be naive if we did not expect this to be a hotly
contested race.
Of course it will be, for this is something entirely new in
Namibia's fairly short history.
We also have no doubt that the President will use whatever is at
his disposal in terms of influence, to ensure that his preferred
candidate gets the nomination.
Various support groups will lobby for the candidates of their
choice, and there is no problem with this - for campaign they
must.
But the ultimate choice of candidate for succession should be
that of the Swapo Congress, the highest decision-making organ of
the Party, and money and power should not be allowed to influence
this democratic process.
Finally, Swapo and its President should be commended once again
for initiating what appears to be a new era of democratisation
within the former liberation movement.
We trust that this will be consolidated in the coming
months.
It shows signs of growing political maturity in Swapo, and above
all, a solid commitment to our Constitution.It should be emphasised
that the decision in no way exhibits an anti-Nujoma bias.It has
less to do with the incumbent than with the democratic principle
that opposes the presidents-for-life scenario that has adversely
characterised so much of the African continent.President Nujoma's
place in history is not negatively affected by the Party's
reluctance to consider a fourth term.Quite the contrary.It is
enhanced instead.His contribution to our country's liberation is
unquestioned.Likewise his leadership in the first 15 years of
Namibia's Independence is there for all to see.This does not of
course mean that we have always agreed with the Head of State, for
we have not.There have been several occasions when we have
questioned his management of various aspects of governance; but we
have also given praise where it is due.Overall, in his fifteen
years in office (for this is what it will be once his term expires
next year), Namibia has seen - if not economic advancement - then
certainly overall stability and peace.In many ways this fact
underscores the argument of many who advocated a change to the
Constitution and a fourth term for Nujoma - that under his rule
stability would continue.Seen against the background of our
Constitution - with its two-term limit for very obvious reasons -
that argument does not wash at all.Change does not necessarily mean
instability.In fact we are certain that whoever emerges victorious
from the Swapo Congress later this month, will likewise share their
predecessor's commitment to peace and stability.Many of the
electorate in Namibia probably do not fully grasp what has
happened, perhaps seeing sinister implications in the fact that
Nujoma is not staying on.It is the duty of ruling party politicians
and the President in particular, to explain that we have chosen a
democratic route forward and that presidential succession is an
important part of this process.The decision against a fourth term
having been taken - and this represents a big step forward - we
trust that the campaigning for presidential succession will also be
played out at a mature level - also in the interests of our
democracy and continued stability.We would be naive if we did not
expect this to be a hotly contested race.Of course it will be, for
this is something entirely new in Namibia's fairly short history.We
also have no doubt that the President will use whatever is at his
disposal in terms of influence, to ensure that his preferred
candidate gets the nomination.Various support groups will lobby for
the candidates of their choice, and there is no problem with this -
for campaign they must.But the ultimate choice of candidate for
succession should be that of the Swapo Congress, the highest
decision-making organ of the Party, and money and power should not
be allowed to influence this democratic process.Finally, Swapo and
its President should be commended once again for initiating what
appears to be a new era of democratisation within the former
liberation movement.We trust that this will be consolidated in the
coming months.