Netumbo ‘not aware’ of pre-2024 congress
Geingob hints at quitting party post
The Swapo VP says only an ordinary congress, such as the recently-concluded one, can resolve to call an extraordinary congress.
Supporters of Swapo vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah have indicated they will fight President Hage Geingob’s perceived attempts to convene an extraordinary congress in order to identify the party’s candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday said she is not aware of any plan by the party to hold an extraordinary congress, saying the recent elective congress did not adopt a resolution to that effect.
Speaking at the just-ended Swapo elective congress, Geingob suggested that an extraordinary congress would be held to endorse the party candidate for the national election – going as far as hinting that he would step down as party president.
He suggested "a congress before 2024, to formally, if they will, take over my position."
His remarks left many in the 800-person crowd open-mouthed.
Automatic candidacy
Geingob added: "This means if you do that [take over the party president’s position], you will become Swapo's candidate... what we call somebody that will hold Swapo's flag high. To stand for the office of president, which I am holding right now. So it's a big day today."
The understanding among many Swapo members has always been that whoever wins the race for vice-president at the November congress would automatically become the party’s official candidate in the 2024 election.
Commenting on Geingob’s remarks, Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday said: "I heard about it, but maybe he was talking [while] facing the other side. I am not aware because we have to check with the decisions of congress and the minutes."
Nandi-Ndaitwah continued: "I cannot remember a decision taken by congress. Normally, when we come out of congress, and it wants an extraordinary congress, it takes such a decision and states for what purpose.
"In 2017, we didn't have time for the amendments submitted, and then the congress took a decision and directed the central committee to convene an extraordinary congress to amend the constitution. So this time there is no such decision of such a congress. I can only talk about things that were decisions of congress."
Code of conduct
A Nandi-Ndaitwah supporter, who was voted as a member of the politburo on Wednesday, said Geingob has no power as an individual to convene a congress.
"No single individual, inclusive of the president, has the authority to call an extraordinary congress. It can only be called by the [central committee] or at the request of at least two-thirds of the regional executive committees," the member said.
"Our rules and procedures and the constitution are very clear on what should happen should a sitting president be barred to run [for] the presidency [of the country]...".
Geingob is nearing the end of his tenure at State House, with slightly over two years remaining in his last term in office. He is thus ineligible to stand as the party candidate in the next national election.
"Such arrangements are in place," the politburo member said, adding: "In any case, why did he want to be endorsed if he is not willing to serve his full five years as party president? Is it to sabotage the VP [vice-president]? All such matters are fully covered in the code of conduct."
Strong support
One of Nandi-Ndaitwah's supporters, deputy finance minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, speaking on The Evening Review last night, said in the event that an extraordinary congress is called, the vice-president has enough backing to ascend to the Swapo presidency.
"I think people are determined to see the change, paradigm shift; determined to hold the mantra of ethical leadership. Netumbo seems to have solid support," she said.
Hinda-Mbuende said there are suggestions that the mooted congress would be called less than a year from now, so that Nandi-Ndaitwah cannot stand for the president’s position. This is due to a provision in the Swapo constitution that states a person may not seek another position in the party if they have been in their current position for less than a year.
"The impression is that congress should be before December 2023 so that she [Nandi-Ndaitwah] will not make a year and cannot compete for the position."
She said even if that rule is used, Nandi-Ndaitwah would still qualify to stand because she would actually have been vice-president for six years by then, including from the time she was first selected in 2017.
Geingob’s spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, did not respond to a request for comment.
Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday said she is not aware of any plan by the party to hold an extraordinary congress, saying the recent elective congress did not adopt a resolution to that effect.
Speaking at the just-ended Swapo elective congress, Geingob suggested that an extraordinary congress would be held to endorse the party candidate for the national election – going as far as hinting that he would step down as party president.
He suggested "a congress before 2024, to formally, if they will, take over my position."
His remarks left many in the 800-person crowd open-mouthed.
Automatic candidacy
Geingob added: "This means if you do that [take over the party president’s position], you will become Swapo's candidate... what we call somebody that will hold Swapo's flag high. To stand for the office of president, which I am holding right now. So it's a big day today."
The understanding among many Swapo members has always been that whoever wins the race for vice-president at the November congress would automatically become the party’s official candidate in the 2024 election.
Commenting on Geingob’s remarks, Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday said: "I heard about it, but maybe he was talking [while] facing the other side. I am not aware because we have to check with the decisions of congress and the minutes."
Nandi-Ndaitwah continued: "I cannot remember a decision taken by congress. Normally, when we come out of congress, and it wants an extraordinary congress, it takes such a decision and states for what purpose.
"In 2017, we didn't have time for the amendments submitted, and then the congress took a decision and directed the central committee to convene an extraordinary congress to amend the constitution. So this time there is no such decision of such a congress. I can only talk about things that were decisions of congress."
Code of conduct
A Nandi-Ndaitwah supporter, who was voted as a member of the politburo on Wednesday, said Geingob has no power as an individual to convene a congress.
"No single individual, inclusive of the president, has the authority to call an extraordinary congress. It can only be called by the [central committee] or at the request of at least two-thirds of the regional executive committees," the member said.
"Our rules and procedures and the constitution are very clear on what should happen should a sitting president be barred to run [for] the presidency [of the country]...".
Geingob is nearing the end of his tenure at State House, with slightly over two years remaining in his last term in office. He is thus ineligible to stand as the party candidate in the next national election.
"Such arrangements are in place," the politburo member said, adding: "In any case, why did he want to be endorsed if he is not willing to serve his full five years as party president? Is it to sabotage the VP [vice-president]? All such matters are fully covered in the code of conduct."
Strong support
One of Nandi-Ndaitwah's supporters, deputy finance minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, speaking on The Evening Review last night, said in the event that an extraordinary congress is called, the vice-president has enough backing to ascend to the Swapo presidency.
"I think people are determined to see the change, paradigm shift; determined to hold the mantra of ethical leadership. Netumbo seems to have solid support," she said.
Hinda-Mbuende said there are suggestions that the mooted congress would be called less than a year from now, so that Nandi-Ndaitwah cannot stand for the president’s position. This is due to a provision in the Swapo constitution that states a person may not seek another position in the party if they have been in their current position for less than a year.
"The impression is that congress should be before December 2023 so that she [Nandi-Ndaitwah] will not make a year and cannot compete for the position."
She said even if that rule is used, Nandi-Ndaitwah would still qualify to stand because she would actually have been vice-president for six years by then, including from the time she was first selected in 2017.
Geingob’s spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, did not respond to a request for comment.
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