Swapo congress delegates told to ‘stick to the plan’

VOTING for Swapo’s top four positions were delayed until late yesterday amid speculation that any potential additional nominations from the floor would be quashed.

Delegates to the congress spent most of the day discussing reports presented by Prime Minister Nahas Angula and outgoing Swapo Secretary General Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange. According to some sources, there was a strong sense of cameraderie with the hottest issue under discussion focusing on the 50-50 gender balance for positions in the party’s leadership.By the time of going to press, there was still speculation that former Prime Minister Hage Geingob would be challenged by Jerry Ekandjo for the party’s vice-presidency, but indications were that Ekandjo would withdraw “in the interest of party unity”.”It will be suicidal for Ekandjo,” one source said, “especially as we are trying to get unity back in the party”.The Swapo Youth League was said to be strongly opposed to any additional nominations from the floor saying “guided democracy” was the best way forward if the party wanted to deal with divisions effectively.Some delegates were also weighing a position for founding President Sam Nujoma.While one group wanted an honorary position for him, another suggested the chairmanship position for which much of the groundwork has already been done by Geingob – through the drawing up of the terms of reference.Tjiriange has repeatedly denied any talk of a chairman position for Nujoma.The results of the election for the top four positions and the Central Committee should be known today when Nujoma will officially hand over the party mantle to President Hifikepunye Pohamba.The congress resolutions are also set to be adopted today but the election for the Politburo will only take place tomorrow.Swapo has a series of rallies planned for later this year and early next year as the ruling party deals with divisions that came about as a result of the 2004 extraordinary congress which has since seen former Swapo stalwart Hidipo Hamutenya leave the party to form Rally for Democracy and Progress.According to some sources, there was a strong sense of cameraderie with the hottest issue under discussion focusing on the 50-50 gender balance for positions in the party’s leadership.By the time of going to press, there was still speculation that former Prime Minister Hage Geingob would be challenged by Jerry Ekandjo for the party’s vice-presidency, but indications were that Ekandjo would withdraw “in the interest of party unity”.”It will be suicidal for Ekandjo,” one source said, “especially as we are trying to get unity back in the party”. The Swapo Youth League was said to be strongly opposed to any additional nominations from the floor saying “guided democracy” was the best way forward if the party wanted to deal with divisions effectively.Some delegates were also weighing a position for founding President Sam Nujoma.While one group wanted an honorary position for him, another suggested the chairmanship position for which much of the groundwork has already been done by Geingob – through the drawing up of the terms of reference.Tjiriange has repeatedly denied any talk of a chairman position for Nujoma.The results of the election for the top four positions and the Central Committee should be known today when Nujoma will officially hand over the party mantle to President Hifikepunye Pohamba.The congress resolutions are also set to be adopted today but the election for the Politburo will only take place tomorrow.Swapo has a series of rallies planned for later this year and early next year as the ruling party deals with divisions that came about as a result of the 2004 extraordinary congress which has since seen former Swapo stalwart Hidipo Hamutenya leave the party to form Rally for Democracy and Progress.