Namibia - CountryWatch

Political Conditions Political Overview
Another prominent domestic issue has been the controversial land reform program aimed at expropriating
white-owned land for resettlement. Over one million Namibians were to be resettled on land
expropriated from more than 6000 farms. While this policy was originally based on purchasing from
willing sellers, in 1999 some politicians began to suggest the expropriation of land without compensation.
Fortunately, moderates prevailed in the cabinet pointing to the chaos and anarchy of Zimbabwe
following such a route, as well as the adverse consequences for the economy. At the same time, nongovernmental
organizations pressured government officials to streamline the program and speed up
expropriation. But by the end of April 1999, only 15,000 to 20,000 peop le had been resettled.
Meanwhile, two new political parties were formed in 1999. After resigning as high commissioner to
Britain, Ben Ulenga helped to form the Congress of Democrats. Ulenga had also been dismissed from
SWAPO for dissenting on the issue of President Nujoma's third term. Jeremy Kasume founded the
Christian Movement Namibia Action Party in late June. Kasume stated that the party emerged in
response to government inefficiency and self-serving politicians.
Meanwhile, the Namibian National Society for Human Right appealed for the establishment of a commission
to investigate human rights abuses, citing the need to investigate the status of more than 4000
people missing since the struggle for independence began. SWAPO rejected the suggestion, stating
that such investigations would do more harm than good.
Despite these human rights issues, the independence of Namibia's judiciary is constitutionally guaranteed.
For example, in February 2001 opposition political parties and human rights groups hailed a
court ruling that found Namibian Home Affairs Minister Jerry Ekandjo guilty of contempt. The High
Court gave Ekandjo a stern warning after he defied a court order for the immediate release of a former
UNITA representative in Namibia, Jose Domingo Sikunda.
Also, despite numerous reports of cases where civil liberties and freedom of expression have been curtailed,
in general, freedom of the press is evident in the existence of several lively opposition newspapers.
There is also ongoing tension between the government-owned television station and Ministry of
Information officials, who accuse the station staff of systematically sabotaging government initiatives.
In the late 1990s, the government was attempting to address key issues including investment promotion,
expanding technical education, and re forming the health care system. In mid-1999 it announced
that several extension centers of the national technical institute would be constructed to expand the
reach of the school. It was also announced that a health care management company would be established.
In October 1999 President Nujoma announced a two-day presidential and general election set for Nov.
30 and Dec. 1. He also declared the first voting day a national holiday. About 850,000 voters out of a
total population of 1.8 million registered for the country's second general election. Nujoma was
expected to run out an easy winner in the presidential election, as was SWAPO in the parliamentary
vote.
SWAPO's victories on the executive and National Assembly levels were resounding (figures below).
The Council of Churches in Namibia, or CCN, and the Namibia NGO Forum (Nangof) deemed the
elections free but not completely fair, citing instances of intimidation and hate speech. The organizations
used the variables: freedom of movement, speech and assembly; freedom from fear to campaign;
transparent electoral processes; equal access to state controlled media; and no misuse of government
facilities for campaign purposes. "Judging by these universally accepted criteria, we are of the opinion
that election 1999 was free and relatively fair," said the executive director for Nangof.
13 Namibia Review 2013