Analysts warn resignations weaken opposition

Political analysts say recent resignations and infighting within the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) could weaken their performance in the November elections.

Both parties have faced significant exits, with six PDM members resigning from the party in two weeks earlier this month, while IPC Lüderitz mayor Phil Balhao resigned as both mayor and IPC member.

“These resignations are due to conflicts and politics of bellies, people who only joined the party for positions and now that their expectations were not met, they are leaving,” political analyst Sakaria Johannes said last week.

He argued that both parties need to explain the reasons for the resignations, adding that resigning members often take along supporters, leaving the party vulnerable.

He said these parties should treat resignations as urgent matters because the regional council and local authority elections commence soon.

“These issues should have been dealt with earlier to avoid this. As this will have a huge effect on this party’s performance in the upcoming elections,” he said.

Political analyst Henning Melber says the PDM resignations are not surprising given the massive decline in voter support.

“The forthcoming regional council and local authority elections will be another indication to which extent voters have turned their back on the former official opposition. Or if its local candidates maintain the trust if not in the party then in them, which always plays a role in local candidates for being elected or not,” he says.

More surprising, he says, is the number of IPC resignations after its electoral success.

This indicates that not all is well internally, he says.

Melber suggests that party leader Panduleni Itula’s absence from parliament comes at a price.

Meanwhile, political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah says most of these resignations are not based on strong principles or ideology. Adding that in Namibia, it’s common for some politicians to jump from one party to another, mainly chasing political positions or better opportunities.

“So, while it may look like the parties are falling apart, that’s not always the full story. These kinds of exits don’t necessarily mean the party has lost its direction or support,” he says.

PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe last week said the party remains committed and assured its voters that the resignations have not affected the party in any way.

IPC spokesperson Imms Nashinge has rejected the analysts’ claims.

Nashinge says analysts have been expressing their concerns since 2020, but the IPC has kept on growing stronger.

“We are preparing for elections… prophets of doom must focus on something else,” he says.
Nashinge last week said “every person has a democratic right to join any party and it is based on that right the party respects those rights”, while assuring that the IPC remains steadfast and ready for the November elections.

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