Swapo vets launch new party
2007-11-17 22:48
Windhoek - Former members of Namibia's
ruling SWAPO launched a new party on Saturday, vowing to fight
what they called a culture of fear that had seen the country
slide back into autocracy marked by collapsing public services.
Analysts say the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP)
represents possibly the strongest chance for political reform in
Namibia, where liberation movement SWAPO led by former state
president Sam Nujoma has dominated politics since independence
in 1990.
SWAPO has faced little opposition since leading the
diamond-rich former German colony and South African protectorate
to independence.
But the country of 1.9 million people is now struggling to
maintain living standards in the face of rising poverty and
unemployment and widening cracks in its once highly regarded
health care and school systems.
Acting RDP president Hidipo Hamutenya, a former foreign
affairs minister who has resigned from SWAPO's central committee
and quit his parliament seat citing lack of fresh ideas and
stifling of debate, vowed to create an alternative political
home for those unhappy with the party.
Mostly young supporters
"I am back and I am here to stay," he told about 700
mostly-young supporters at Independence Arena in Windhoek, a
stone's throw away from SWAPO's headquarters.
Namibia urgently needed to restore its democracy and
accountability and reverse negative trends that have seen
international allies such as Sweden, Norway and Holland close
their local embassies or downgrade then to consulates, he added.
"A culture of autocracy and all its negative manifestations
had led to collapsing health and educational services, growing
poverty and unemployment and a stagnant economy," Hamutenya
said.
Analysts say it has yet to be seen whether the new party has
the muscle to take on SWAPO, which has demanded that key
officials take oaths of loyalty to the party.
"Lots of people are very happy because of the birth of this
party, but they are afraid to be seen supporting them openly.
SWAPO has been calling [on national radio] for RDP people to be
fired from government," said Gerson Haushona, a veteran SWAPO
member, at Saturday's launch.