Former National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) secretary general Josef Kauandenge says party secretary general Joseph Uapingene’s decision to join the Namibia-Germany Joint Declaration panel could deepen divisions within both the party and the Ovaherero Traditional Authority.
Uapingene was appointed to the panel by the Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction led by the paramount chief, Hoze Riruako, and not by Nudo.
The party has since distanced itself from the appointment, saying it never approved Uapingene’s participation.
It has also announced that a committee will be established to determine its position on the matter.
Kauandenge on Tuesday told The Namibian that Uapingene should have exercised caution given the ongoing leadership dispute within the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, where rival factions support different traditional leaders.
He argued that by joining what many Nudo members regard as a government-sponsored committee, Uapingene risks alienating a significant section of the party’s support base.
“The majority of Nudo members do not support this committee. They regard it as a committee of sell-outs. In the current political climate, associating himself with it is political suicide,” Kauandenge said.
He said during his tenure as Nudo secretary general, the party maintained neutrality in the traditional authority dispute because supporters of both factions belonged to the party.
According to Kauandenge, although Nudo has distanced itself from Uapingene’s decision, the political damage has already been done.
He described Nudo as “a party in the intensive care unit”, saying it is struggling for political survival and warning that the latest development could become “the final nail in the coffin”.
“It is sad to witness a party that had so much potential being destroyed from within by factional battles. Nudo is slowly becoming an empty shell,” he said.
