APP gets new president

The All People’s Party (APP) has elected Ambrosius Kumbwa as its new president.

This followed the successful conclusion of the party’s fourth national congress at Rundu over the weekend.

The APP elected Lifasi Linus Muchila as vice president, while Faustinus Wakudumo was elected as the national chairperson, deputised by Christiana //Gowases. Venitus Marius Goraseb was re-elected as the general secretary, deputised by Annastasia Mbathera.

The congress endorsed the amendment of its constitution and code of conduct and ethics policy.

In addition, the APP appointed new members to its central coordinating committee, comprising 15 men and 15 women.

Meanwhile, Kumbwa debunked allegations that the APP is a tribalist party.

He said the party aims to unite Namibians.

“I want the APP people to influence the government in a positive way to reach what we call a good governance status quo.”

He further said the party aims to forge the equal distribution of resources and utilise the national reconciliation policy.

“I have integrity, self-discipline and I work through consultations for collective decision-making purposes. In my case, I condemn tribalism, I condemn regionalism, I condemn nepotism and put transparency at the forefront,” Kumbwa said.

He further said the APP’s now-amended constitution focuses on how long one should be part of the party before being elected as its president.

“The president should be in the party for at least five years and be a member of the national central coordinating committee.”

Speaking to The Namibian, Kumbwa reiterated that the APP is “not dead” as claimed by the former party vice president, Erastus Shuumbwa.

“The party is not dead, it’s not a true story. He is saying the party is dead but he is still in parliament on the ticket of the APP. And his attendance in the National Assembly is below average, not even 40%,” Kumbwa said.

Speaking on the expulsion of former secretary general Vincent Kanyetu in June last year, Kumbwa said they launched an investigation after it was alleged that Kanyetu attempted to take the APP’s database to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), aiming to deregister the party.

Over the weekend, Kanyetu told The Namibian he never intended to deregister the party.

“I was the authorised representative of the party, involved in every discussion and decision-making at the ECN,” Kanyetu said.

He claimed other party members did not understand the process at the ECN and got confused when the electoral body started inquiring about the reasons why parties had failed to submit annual reports.