WINDHOEK – The National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) will be temporarily led by the party’s vice-president, Asser Mbai, following the death a week ago of its leader, Chief Kuaima Riruako, the party’s deputy secretary general and spokespersonVetaruhe Kandorozu said yesterday.

Confirming the appointment, Kandorozu said a successor to Riruako would only be elected after the mourning period.

Riruako will be interred in Okahandja towards the end of this month.

“Honorable Asser Mbai, who is our vice-president, will automatically step in as acting party president,” Kandorozu told New Era yesterday.

During an interview with New Era yesterday, Mbai said by virtue of the party constitution, he should serve as party president in an acting capacity, but indicated that he still needs to be confirmed by the party’s National Executive Committee.

Riruako’s successor will be the party’s second president since it withdrew from the DTA in 2003.  

Riruako, who also served as the Ovaherero Traditional Authority paramount chief, passed away in the Roman Catholic Hospital on June 2 after spending several weeks in the intensive care unit. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Riruako formed part of the Constitutional Council from 1986 to 1987 and was first elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) in 1994.  

Riruako became president of Nudo in September 2003 after the party withdrew from the DTA, and resigned from the National Assembly in the same month. 

He was then elected into parliament as a Nudo candidate. He since served for a second stint in the National Assembly from 2005 until his demise earlier this month. 

Two wives and 16 children survive Riruako.

By Mathias Haufiku