‘Kauandenge forced to drop out of Nudo race’

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah believes National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) secretary general Joseph Kauandenge’s decision to withdraw from running for the party’s top job was likely forced.

Kauandenge yesterday announced he would not run for the presidency or any other position at the party’s upcoming elective congress.

Kauandenge was among those who would run for the party’s top position at its upcoming congress slated for 12 to 14 July.

He is expected to provide clarity on his withdrawal at a press conference later today.

“I suspect after carefully assessing the support he is getting from his colleagues within the party, he probably realised he does not stand a chance,” Kamwanyah says.

All key positions, including the secretary position currently held by Kauandenge, will be up for grabs as incumbent party president Esther Muinjangue also decided not to run for a second term.

“It’s not that he is making the right decision. I think he is forced to make a U-turn. Maybe he calculated and realised his colleagues are not supporting him, because he was 100% sure and certain he would throw his hat in the presidential election,” Kamwanyah says.

Kauandenge was initially adamant about running for party president.

Last month, he said he would run for the presidency, adding that he is not threatened by any other candidate running for the party presidency.

“I have a solid support base within the party,” Kauandenge told The Namibian last month.

At the time, former Namibia Football Association secretary general Barry Rukoro questioned why Kauandenge was running for the position while being the party’s secretary general.

Kauandenge previously said Rukoro is not a card-carrying member of the party and cannot stand for election to leadership positions.

In response, Rukoro said Kauandenge was faced with a conflict of interest and was using his position as secretary general to push him out of running for party president.

Now, Rukoro says Kauandenge’s decision to drop out of the race is “honourable”.

“He is a young and capable man who could have helped us rebuild the party and make it much more attractive for the younger generation of voters if he stayed, but now that he has taken that decision, we must all respect it,” Rukoro says.

He says he hopes for Kauandenge’s support when the time comes.

“I wish him all the best for the future, and I hope the new leadership will make him feel welcome to serve the party in other capacities.

“We shall greatly appreciate his advice going forward if we happen to be successful at the July congress,” Rukoro said.

Meanwhile, Nudo sympathiser Rirua Komeheke, who was also against Kauandenge’s plan to run as president, welcomed the decision.

“Good riddance. His team knows they are wrong and does not have a chance at all,” he said.

Nudo’s upcoming elective congress is expected to be a heated affair.

Rukoro, party vice president Peter Kazongomuinja, City of Windhoek deputy mayor Joseph Uapingene, and former Okakarara constituency councillor Vetaruhe Kandorozu are among those who have made known their intention to run for party president.

The person elected to head the party will automatically be put on the ballot as party president for the presidential and National Assenbly elections on 27 November.