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.