By Kuvee Kangueehi
Windhoek
Former Congress of Democrats (CoD) Secretary General, Ignatius Shixwameni, yesterday officially resigned from the CoD and hinted at the formation of a new political party.
The former Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting’s resignation also gives more meat to speculation that indeed a political party with a strong base in the Kavango Region could be formed.
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Olympia yesterday, Shixwameni said he has finally decided to resign after extensive consultations with his family members and people from various political organisations.
Shixwameni who is applicant number one and key witness in the CoD court case set for the end of next month, said he has consulted with other members of the “CoD Majority” and informed them that he does not believe that the court outcome will resolve the issue.
The former secretary general said as a “servant of the people” he cannot indefinitely wait for the outcome of the court case while people at the grassroots are demanding for direction.
He noted that some of his people in the CoD and other political parties such as the Swapo Party, DTA of Namibia and Nudo are demanding that he gives them a new political alternative or they will join the new party, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP).
Shixwameni said some prominent members of the CoD and other political parties have advised him to forget about the CoD and move on.
“Life is about making, about thinking and re-thinking and taking decisions because if you do not make decisions you cannot move anywhere.”
Shixwameni did not explicitly spell out whether he plans to form a new party or a grand coalition, but denied that he is forming a party for Kavangos. He said in a unitary state such as Namibia, it is not wise to form a tribal party.
However, he said many people he spoke to in the Kavango Region assured him that they will support any new political alternative.
Shixwameni further noted that he also had successful consultations in the Caprivi Region and also met people from various political parties in the Karas, Oshikoto, Kunene and Khomas regions.
Shixwameni said he decided to officially resign because he could not openly consult with more people while he actively belonged to a specific political party.
Although Shixwameni is being coy about the formation of a new political party, New Era has reliably learnt that some of his close allies have been frequenting the offices of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) and Shixwameni is expected to submit his application today or tomorrow.
New Era has further learnt that the party will not be known as Namibia People’s Party (NPP) as rumoured earlier, but will have a different name.
At the press conference, Shixwameni announced that 45 people have resigned from the CoD, Swapo Party, DTA and Nudo and are planning to follow him to his new political home.
The party, if formed, could be launched before the end of the year.