Namibia’s former president, Hifikepunye Pohamba informed the Swapo central committee meeting, in Ongwediva earlier today, that he has stepped down.
This will mean that vice president, Hage Geingob will take over as acting president. Geingob will also act in his current position as vice president. The party is expected to hold an extraordinary congress to elect a new top leadership in 90 days.The succession issue caused a stir at the party politburo meeting held on Monday. These developments will be announced at the party’s 55 year anniversary celebrations in Oshakati tomorrow.
Sources said that a faction of the party’s leaders wanted to push for Pohamba to resign and allow the party to hold an extraordinary congress to elect a new top four.
YOUR TURN … Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba (left) and President Hage Geingob during Geingob’s inauguration less than a month ago. Pohamba today announced to his party that he stepped down from active politics. Photo: Nampa
Another section in the CC allegedly pushed for natural progress, as stipulated by the party’s succession rules adopted by the CC. Pohamba succeeded Sam Nujoma as Swapo president three years after he won by a landslide to become Namibia’s president in 2004. Pohamba won the Mo Ibrahim prize for leadership for his decision to give up power when his term as state president expired earlier this year.
