A Lukewarm Victory

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was declared the winner of Namibia’s Nov. 27 election this week, becoming the country’s first female president and extending the ruling South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) party’s 34-year grip on power, the BBC reported.

Even so, the historic nature of the victory was marred by opposition claims of irregularities and logistical failures during the elections, the news outlet added.

On Tuesday, results showed Nandi-Ndaitwah won 57 percent of the vote, while her closest rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), garnered 26 percent.

In the parliamentary election held simultaneously, SWAPO narrowly retained its majority, securing 51 of 96 seats, while the IPC emerged as the official opposition with 20 seats.

It was the ruling party’s worst performance since independence, analysts said.

The results follow an election process that Itula and his party criticized as “deeply flawed,” citing ballot shortages, technical failures, and delays that left some voters waiting up to 14 hours.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) admitted to logistical challenges but denied allegations of fraud, urging citizens to embrace the results peacefully.

Protests and boycotts have followed the election outcome, with most opposition parties refusing to attend the results announcement in the capital of Windhoek on Tuesday evening.

While the capital remained calm Wednesday, the IPC pledged to pursue remedies in court and encouraged voters to report election-related grievances to authorities.

Meanwhile, Nandi-Ndaitwah, a veteran politician who has served in various high-ranking government roles, called for “peace and stability” in her victory speech.

Analysts credit her clean reputation and ability to unite SWAPO’s factions as critical to her success, despite growing public dissatisfaction with the party’s performance on unemployment and inequality, Reuters added.

Her election places her alongside Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan as one of only two female presidents currently in office in Africa.