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Namibia: Special Report on the Political Atmosphere

Namibia, a country liberated from German colonizers in 1914 and declared independent from South Africa in 1991, is still struggling to fully embrace a system of democracy. SWAPO (South West Africa's People Organization) is the political party which fought to liberate the country. SWAPO uses that historical and emotional truth to manipulate its people into suppressing all forms of opposition.

It's been 17 years since Independence, and all of SWAPO's promises are still outstanding. There is still a large gap in income between the blacks and the whites, the level of quality education is abysmal and Namibia has now broken the ranks and is second in the world only to Swaziland for infection rate of Tuberculosis. Additionally, the government has failed in disaster relief services which are crucial towards the stability in the northern regions. For instance, this year the rainy season has been one of the worst Namibia has experienced in decades. Towns and villages are being cut off from electricity, health services and schools. If relief services are not deployed at an appropriate speed, Cholera outbreaks are inevitable. This rainy season, the government was unable to readily allocate services. International organizations such as the United Nations and the International Red Cross stabilized the affected areas.

After years of stalled programs and empty promises, a few SWAPO party members broke away and initiated a new rival party called the RDP (Rally for Democratic Progress). The RDP seems to have strong support within the educated youth population.

The SWAPO party uses a variety of tactics to gain support. The main source of entertainment and news comes from the radio and taxi stereo players. The SWAPO party has produced music CD's with propaganda songs. With music as the main form of media, it is easy to manipulate Namibia's sparse population, especially its youth. It is difficult to take a taxi ride without hearing a song and observing fists thrown in the air (the sign of SWAPO support).

Even in the schools, SWAPO music is often used during celebrations. During last month's Independence Day celebrations, the propaganda music could be heard throughout the schools. Not patriotic Namibian music, but political party music. It is frightening to watch the children's fists pump as they dance to the beat, not understanding what it represents.

Additionally, SWAPO followers hold mass rallies every weekend in rural areas to mobilize and intimidate the population. It is common to see supporters by the truck load with oversized SWAPO flags hanging off the back. In March, the Ministry of Finance declared at a rally that all SWAPO supporters should boycott all businesses owned by supporters of the RDP. He suggested that through economic hardship, they would be forced to recognize the power of the SWAPO party.

The world has seen many African governments crumble for not fostering honest and open debate and cooperation between all political parties. Currently, the ramifications of this can be seen in Kenya. While Namibia's political parties are not polarized enough yet to develop into a civil war, the beginning factors are present. The people that have joined the RDP are fed up with the government and the SWAPO supporters are becoming more defensive.

The International Institute for Justice and Development (IIJD) calls upon the Namibian government to recognize that a true democracy is one that encourages open discussion with opposition parties. It also crucial that for long-term stability, peace and development that the SWAPO and other political parties contribute first in establishing of a fair and open system of governance that includes a real separation and balance of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches for more transparency and accountability. Such system of governance must guarantee a clear democratic process of alternation of power and should be supported by strong institutions that cannot easily be changed by one individual or one group without consulting the Namibian people. If Namibia wants to be seen as a legitimate democracy in the international arena, it must follow through with its promises at Independence: transparency and growth through the democratic process.