Hereros split along political lines

By: *DENVER ISAACS

A NUMBER of Herero traditional leaders, clans and communities officially withdrew their support of Herero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako yesterday.

The announcement, made by Okakarara Senior Chief John Tjikuua,

followed a meeting of more than 500 Herero traditional leaders at

Opuwo over the weekend, Tjikuua said.

He said it was felt that Riruako was using the political party,

the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) which he heads,

to divide the Herero people.

 

In September 2003, Riruako withdrew Nudo from the DTA alliance,

and the party was subsequently gazetted as an independent political

party in December that year.

 

"From that day," Tjikuua said, "Chief Riruako forfeited his

position of chieftainship.

 

A minority of some traditional leaders accepted his new role

while the majority refused to support this dual role of being

traditional and political leader."

 

He said Riruako had over the past few months started to

marginalise those chiefs who did not support his new role, and

replaced them with Nudo followers.

 

Tjikuua said the decision taken by the rejected traditional

leaders and their communities to formally sever their links with

Riruako came after long deliberation.

 

Tjikuua said himself and Chief Paulus Tjavara were appointed

"unanimously as the custodians" of the affected communities'

interests and aspirations.

 

At the time of the meeting, Riruako had not been informed of the

decision, although Tjikuua said that he would be in due course.

 

Speaking to The Namibian after the meeting, Riruako said that he

was in fact aware of the conference and the decisions made there,

but he did not accept their decisions as valid.

 

"I'm not at all worried.

 

They don't have that right," he said.

 

"We don't care if he doesn't accept," an agitated Tjikuua said

when asked about this possibility during the media briefing

yesterday.

 

"We are not under his authority anymore.

 

He can go lead his Nudo Hereros, whatever!"

 

He said it was felt that Riruako was using the political party, the

National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) which he heads, to

divide the Herero people.In September 2003, Riruako withdrew Nudo

from the DTA alliance, and the party was subsequently gazetted as

an independent political party in December that year."From that

day," Tjikuua said, "Chief Riruako forfeited his position of

chieftainship.A minority of some traditional leaders accepted his

new role while the majority refused to support this dual role of

being traditional and political leader."He said Riruako had over

the past few months started to marginalise those chiefs who did not

support his new role, and replaced them with Nudo followers.Tjikuua

said the decision taken by the rejected traditional leaders and

their communities to formally sever their links with Riruako came

after long deliberation.Tjikuua said himself and Chief Paulus

Tjavara were appointed "unanimously as the custodians" of the

affected communities' interests and aspirations.At the time of the

meeting, Riruako had not been informed of the decision, although

Tjikuua said that he would be in due course.Speaking to The

Namibian after the meeting, Riruako said that he was in fact aware

of the conference and the decisions made there, but he did not

accept their decisions as valid."I'm not at all worried.They don't

have that right," he said."We don't care if he doesn't accept," an

agitated Tjikuua said when asked about this possibility during the

media briefing yesterday."We are not under his authority anymore.He

can go lead his Nudo Hereros, whatever!"

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