It’s official. New party registered!

A NEW political party said to involve Swapo Party members, called Rally for Democracy and Progress, was registered with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) on Friday.

The party, which applied for registration with the ECN in August, met all the requirements, Director of Elections, Phillemon Kanime, told The Namibian on enquiry last night. Kanime said the ECN met last Wednesday and the certificate was issued.It was picked up by former Trade Minister Jesaya Nyamu on Friday.’NOT SECRETIVE’ Nyamu confirmed last night that he was involved in the registration of the new party but said further details about who else was involved would be revealed in time.Asked whether he was the only prominent former Swapo Party leader involved in establishing the new party, Nyamu responded: “What do you think? You think I’m the only one? Of course, there are others also.”However, the former Swapo leader – who was booted from the party because notes ‘harbouring thoughts’ about the formation of a new party were found in his office – said the names of others would be revealed “very soon”.”Be a bit patient.It’s not something secretive.That is why you came across the information,” he said.The Namibian is aware of the names of other senior Swapo members said to be linked to the new party but was unable to reveal them, as it has not been confirmed by the concerned individuals.Rumours about the formation of the new party have been rife since Nyamu was booted out of Swapo.Last week, Swapo founder member and veteran politician Andimba Toivo ya Toivo said he had no ambitions to launch a new political party or to be part of such a group.He reacted after reports, mainly in the Oshikoto, Oshana and Ohangwena regions, that Ya Toivo was part of a group of Swapo members planning to launch a new party.Toivo said it was the democratic right of any person to launch a party but that he was not part of it.SWAPO CONGRESS Recently Prime Minister Nahas Angula also confirmed that speculation about the formation of the new party was rife and expected it to intensify ahead of the Swapo Party Congress next month.However, he said that the rumours were a campaign strategy by some party members to create confusion within Swapo and “set up long-time comrades against one another and for some individuals to advance their personal interest”.Last month, The Namibian reported that some top members of the ruling party close to party President Sam Nujoma were apparently incensed by persistent rumours of a possible walkout of prominent Swapo politicians who allegedly wanted to form a new political party.Names have been thrown around and attempts were made by the socalled ‘Omusati clique’, staunch supporters of party President Nujoma, to convince the Politburo to throw them all out of Swapo.However, more “rationally minded” Politburo members reportedly advised the party against a mass expulsion just weeks ahead of what is seen as a watershed Swapo congress planned for November 27.Party President Sam Nujoma has already announced that he will not be available for another term and suggested that Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba take over the laurels from him.Kanime said the ECN met last Wednesday and the certificate was issued.It was picked up by former Trade Minister Jesaya Nyamu on Friday.’NOT SECRETIVE’ Nyamu confirmed last night that he was involved in the registration of the new party but said further details about who else was involved would be revealed in time.Asked whether he was the only prominent former Swapo Party leader involved in establishing the new party, Nyamu responded: “What do you think? You think I’m the only one? Of course, there are others also.”However, the former Swapo leader – who was booted from the party because notes ‘harbouring thoughts’ about the formation of a new party were found in his office – said the names of others would be revealed “very soon”.”Be a bit patient.It’s not something secretive.That is why you came across the information,” he said.The Namibian is aware of the names of other senior Swapo members said to be linked to the new party but was unable to reveal them, as it has not been confirmed by the concerned individuals. Rumours about the formation of the new party have been rife since Nyamu was booted out of Swapo.Last week, Swapo founder member and veteran politician Andimba Toivo ya Toivo said he had no ambitions to launch a new political party or to be part of such a group.He reacted after reports, mainly in the Oshikoto, Oshana and Ohangwena regions, that Ya Toivo was part of a group of Swapo members planning to launch a new party.Toivo said it was the democratic right of any person to launch a party but that he was not part of it.SWAPO CONGRESS Recently Prime Minister Nahas Angula also confirmed that speculation about the formation of the new party was rife and expected it to intensify ahead of the Swapo Party Congress next month.However, he said that the rumours were a campaign strategy by some party members to create confusion within Swapo and “set up long-time comrades against one another and for some individuals to advance their personal interest”.Last month, The Namibian reported that some top members of the ruling party close to party President Sam Nujoma were apparently incensed by persistent rumours of a possible walkout of prominent Swapo politicians who allegedly wanted to form a new political party.Names have been thrown around and attempts were made by the socalled ‘Omusati clique’, staunch supporters of party President Nujoma, to convince the Politburo to throw them all out of Swapo.However, more “rationally minded” Politburo members reportedly advised the party against a mass expulsion just weeks ahead of what is seen as a watershed Swapo congress planned for November 27.Party President Sam Nujoma has already announced that he will not be available for another term and suggested that Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba take over the laurels from him.