Namibia lost a champion of human rights
Opinion
On 4 February, we woke up to the very sad news of the death of President Hage Geingob. He is believed to have succumbed to cancer.
He was the immediate past chairperson of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), which is now chaired by Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema. Notable about his chairpersonship of SADC was Namibia hosting an annual meeting of human rights defenders organised by Southern Defenders in November 2023. He delivered a speech through his justice minister Yvonne Dausab, expressing strong support for the human rights movement.
More significantly, in January 2023, Geingob called for a swift, independent and credible investigation into the cold-blooded killing of prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko in Eswatini.
This is the first time ever the SADC has pronounced itself at such a level of leadership for the persecution of a human rights defender in post-colonial SADC. In his statement, he called “upon the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to ensure that the killing of Mr Maseko is swiftly, transparently and comprehensively investigated and that any or all persons suspected of committing this heinous crime are brought to justice”, adding that there is a “need for peaceful resolution of the political and security challenges affecting the country".
"When dialogue fails, people go to war. Therefore, we propose that national and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue takes place," Geingob said at the time.
A very bold and unequivocal call that seems to have fallen on deaf ears, which I hope will not die with his demise - unless Hichilema carries the plight forward.
Smooth handover
I am relieved that the succession and leadership transition in Namibia are likely to be smooth. Such times of death or incapacitation of a leader can create a danger for national instability, as politics - like nature - hates vacuums.
As for political party succession, I understand that the governing party Swapo has already chosen its successor to take over at the expiry of the current party president’s term, which would have expired by 2025. Despite alleged rumblings by party stalwarts and potential contenders, it is anticipated that the succession plan, which was already agreed to before the president’s death, will prevail.
As for government leadership succession, I understand that the constitution of Namibia makes it clear that the vice-president will act for the remainder of the term. The presidential elections are scheduled for November 2024, with the winner taking office on 21 March 2025.
Stable future
It is therefore clear that there will not be a vacuum at government leadership level. Cabinet met after the president’s death and agreed to adhere to the constitution and select the vice-president to take over as the new president of Namibia until fresh elections are held or the president becomes incapacitated, whichever first occurs.
While we woke up to the sad news of the high-profile death of a president in our region, we are relieved that sufficient safeguards are in place to guarantee a peaceful, smooth succession and transition to a new leader. Some countries have grappled with failures in leadership transition at both national and political party levels, and this has put national security under significant strain and threat, jeopardising the democratisation agenda at national, inter-party and intra-party levels.
Condolences to the people of Namibia and to the family of the late president. May the soul of our departed leader rest in eternal peace!
**Arnold Tsunga is a human rights lawyer and principal managing partner at Tsunga Law International.
- Daily Maverick
He was the immediate past chairperson of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), which is now chaired by Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema. Notable about his chairpersonship of SADC was Namibia hosting an annual meeting of human rights defenders organised by Southern Defenders in November 2023. He delivered a speech through his justice minister Yvonne Dausab, expressing strong support for the human rights movement.
More significantly, in January 2023, Geingob called for a swift, independent and credible investigation into the cold-blooded killing of prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko in Eswatini.
This is the first time ever the SADC has pronounced itself at such a level of leadership for the persecution of a human rights defender in post-colonial SADC. In his statement, he called “upon the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to ensure that the killing of Mr Maseko is swiftly, transparently and comprehensively investigated and that any or all persons suspected of committing this heinous crime are brought to justice”, adding that there is a “need for peaceful resolution of the political and security challenges affecting the country".
"When dialogue fails, people go to war. Therefore, we propose that national and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue takes place," Geingob said at the time.
A very bold and unequivocal call that seems to have fallen on deaf ears, which I hope will not die with his demise - unless Hichilema carries the plight forward.
Smooth handover
I am relieved that the succession and leadership transition in Namibia are likely to be smooth. Such times of death or incapacitation of a leader can create a danger for national instability, as politics - like nature - hates vacuums.
As for political party succession, I understand that the governing party Swapo has already chosen its successor to take over at the expiry of the current party president’s term, which would have expired by 2025. Despite alleged rumblings by party stalwarts and potential contenders, it is anticipated that the succession plan, which was already agreed to before the president’s death, will prevail.
As for government leadership succession, I understand that the constitution of Namibia makes it clear that the vice-president will act for the remainder of the term. The presidential elections are scheduled for November 2024, with the winner taking office on 21 March 2025.
Stable future
It is therefore clear that there will not be a vacuum at government leadership level. Cabinet met after the president’s death and agreed to adhere to the constitution and select the vice-president to take over as the new president of Namibia until fresh elections are held or the president becomes incapacitated, whichever first occurs.
While we woke up to the sad news of the high-profile death of a president in our region, we are relieved that sufficient safeguards are in place to guarantee a peaceful, smooth succession and transition to a new leader. Some countries have grappled with failures in leadership transition at both national and political party levels, and this has put national security under significant strain and threat, jeopardising the democratisation agenda at national, inter-party and intra-party levels.
Condolences to the people of Namibia and to the family of the late president. May the soul of our departed leader rest in eternal peace!
**Arnold Tsunga is a human rights lawyer and principal managing partner at Tsunga Law International.
- Daily Maverick
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