Resistance to referendum

STRONG resistance to the possibility of amending the Constitution – again – to allow for a fourth term for President Sam Nujoma is mounting in civil society and the ruling Swapo Party itself.

The Namibian has reliably established that an “anti-fourth term movement”, spearheaded by some local NGOs as well as “concerned” leaders within the Swapo Party, is set to be launched in the capital later this month. “We are not against President Nujoma as a person… our campaign will focus on manoeuvres to tamper with the Constitution,” said one rights activist.”Amendment of the Constitution to suit individual personalities will jeopardise our democracy and will also create a bad precedent for future leadership in Namibia.”On Wednesday a crowd of Swapo supporters marched at Oshakati to demand a referendum on a fourth term for President Nujoma.As the 2004 election draws ever nearer, the presidential succession debate is threatening to polarise Namibian politics.Speculation has mounted in recent months that Nujoma might bid for a fourth term.The President has remained circumspect when asked to comment on the issue.On various occasions he has been quoted as indicating he would stand down when his term ends in 2005, but as early as this week he changed his tune.On Tuesday he told a Reuters journalist that “one cannot ignore the call by the people, because the people are the ones who make the final decision”.Critics remain unimpressed by the President’s stance on the issue.”Just stating that he would abide by the decisions of the people is very different from holding firmly to a decision not to seek a fourth term,” one Swapo campaigner said.He scoffed at suggestions that Nujoma was young hence he deserved to remain in office.”It’s not a question of age… the Swapo Party has more than enough capable leaders to take over.””If Nujoma goes for the fourth term, then next President after him will also want to rule 20 years… in southern Africa we have learned that overstaying in power deteriorates human rights, freedom of expression and the country’s socio-economic gains,” he added.The anti-fourth term coalition hopes to tap into the experiences of similar movements which successfully blocked attempts to have unconstitutional presidential terms by President in neighbouring Zambia and Malawi.The Namibian Constitution, drafted at Independence in 1990, limits the president to two five-year terms.In 1999 a loophole allowed the ruling party to amend the country’s supreme law to allow President Nujoma to stand for his third term.”We are not against President Nujoma as a person… our campaign will focus on manoeuvres to tamper with the Constitution,” said one rights activist.”Amendment of the Constitution to suit individual personalities will jeopardise our democracy and will also create a bad precedent for future leadership in Namibia.”On Wednesday a crowd of Swapo supporters marched at Oshakati to demand a referendum on a fourth term for President Nujoma.As the 2004 election draws ever nearer, the presidential succession debate is threatening to polarise Namibian politics.Speculation has mounted in recent months that Nujoma might bid for a fourth term.The President has remained circumspect when asked to comment on the issue.On various occasions he has been quoted as indicating he would stand down when his term ends in 2005, but as early as this week he changed his tune.On Tuesday he told a Reuters journalist that “one cannot ignore the call by the people, because the people are the ones who make the final decision”.Critics remain unimpressed by the President’s stance on the issue.”Just stating that he would abide by the decisions of the people is very different from holding firmly to a decision not to seek a fourth term,” one Swapo campaigner said.He scoffed at suggestions that Nujoma was young hence he deserved to remain in office.”It’s not a question of age… the Swapo Party has more than enough capable leaders to take over.””If Nujoma goes for the fourth term, then next President after him will also want to rule 20 years… in southern Africa we have learned that overstaying in power deteriorates human rights, freedom of expression and the country’s socio-economic gains,” he added.The anti-fourth term coalition hopes to tap into the experiences of similar movements which successfully blocked attempts to have unconstitutional presidential terms by President in neighbouring Zambia and Malawi.The Namibian Constitution, drafted at Independence in 1990, limits the president to two five-year terms.In 1999 a loophole allowed the ruling party to amend the country’s supreme law to allow President Nujoma to stand for his third term.